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a 

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LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIFT    OF 

1 

t..Q>L/a_. 

Class 


' . 


OLD  TESTAMENT 
NARRATIVES 


SELECTED  AND  EDITED 


BY 


GEORGE  HENRY  NETTLETON 

Assistant  Professor  of  English  in   the  Sheffield 
Scientific   School  of  Yale   University 


OFTHE 

UNIVERSITY 


NEW  YORK 

HENRY    HOLT    AND    COMPANY 

1911 


.i  27  19|] 


GIFT 

- 


COPYRIGHT,  1909, 

^ 
BY 

HENRY  HOLT  AND  COMPANY 


QUINN    &    BODEN    COMPANY    PRESS 
RAHWAY,    N.    J. 


/Ifcotber 


OFTHE 

UNIVERSITY 

OF 


PREFACE 

THIS  book  aims  to  present  a  considerable  body 
of  Old  Testament  narrative  in  a  form  convenient 
both  for  the  general  reader  and  for  the  student  of 
literature.  Practical  experience  with  college  classes 
has  confirmed  my  belief  that  literary  study  of  the 
Bible  should  begin  with  the  stories  of  the  Old 
Testament.  These  give  at  once  an  effective  introduc- 
tion to  the  vocabulary  and  phrase  of  the  Bible,  an 
explanation  of  many  of  the  most  frequent  Biblical 
allusions  in  secular  literature,  and  a  basis  for  study 
of  literary  art  in  its  most  popular  form. 

The  choice  of  selections  has  been  difficult.  The 
general  aim  has  been  to  select  passages  interesting 
in  themselves  and  important  in  the  development  of 
the  whole  Hebrew  record.  Obviously  it  is  impos- 
sible to  include  within  the  limits  of  three  hundred 
pages  every  incident  that  commends  itself  to  an 
editor  or  critic.  I  shall  be  amply  satisfied  if  the 
book  meets  in  reasonable  measure  the  need  which 
I  have  felt  in  my  own  classes  for  a  text  of  Hebrew 
narrative  compact  in  form,  yet  somewhat  compre- 
hensive in  scope.  In  the  belief  that  the  general 
reader  should  study  the  Bible  itself  rather  than 
about  it,  I  have  adhered  strictly  to  the  simple  Bible 
text,  with  no  summaries  of  story,  and  with  no  other 
notes  than  the  few  brackets  which  explain  the 


vi  PREFACE 

meaning  of  significant  Hebrew  proper  names  or 
of  obsolete  English  words. 

The  text  follows  the  King  James  or  Authorised 
Version  for  reasons  fully  set  forth  in  the  Intro- 
duction. It  differs  from  the  usual  form  only  in  the 
neglect  of  italics,  in  the  omission  of  verse-divisions, 
in  slight  changes  in  capitalization  due  chiefly  to  that 
omission,  and  in  the  adoption  of  convenient  para- 
graphs. It  is  now  commonly  admitted  that  the 
ordinary  text  of  the  Bible  recognizes  somewhat 
arbitrary  distinctions  in  chapter  and  verse  form,  but 
fails  to  recognize  fully  more  vital  distinctions  of 
literary  structure  and  style.  The  division  into 
verses,  adopted  in  the  Genevan  Bible  for  ease  of 
reference,  is  somewhat  of  an  obstacle  to  modern 
readers.  The  Revised  Version,  indeed,  though  it 
retains  verse  numerals  in  the  margin,  groups  verses 
in  paragraphs.  The  use  of  italics  to  indicate  addi- 
tions in  the  translation  to  the  original  text  concerns 
the  scholar  rather  than  the  general  reader.  In  the 
various  stages  of  manuscript  and  proof,  my  text  has 
been  collated  with  eight  modern  editions  of  the  King 
James  Version.  Modern  texts  show  not  a  little 
correction  and  revision  of  the  early  editions.  Both 
issues  of  the  1611  edition  contain  misprints,  and 
the  "  Wicked  Bible '  of  1632,  which  omitted  the 
word  "  not '  from  the  seventh  commandment,  and 
the  "  Vinegar  Bible  "  of  1717,  which  printed  '  Vine- 
gar "  for  "  Vineyard  "  in  the  heading  of  one  of  the 
parables,  are  striking  instances  of  typographical 
errors.  Modern  editions  themselves  do  not  conform 
to  an  absolute  standard.  No  two  of  the  eight  which 
I  collated  are  absolutely  identical.  Sometimes  the 


PREFACE  vii 

differences  are  intentional,  as  in  the  modernization 
of  spelling—"  plaster  '    for  "  plaister,"  "  basin  "  for 

'  bason,"  '  assuaged  "  for  "asswaged."  I  have  pre- 
ferred to  retain  the  slightly  archaic  flavor  in  diction. 
Sometimes  the  differences  seem  accidental,  as  in 
editions  which  in  a  hundred  pages  differ  only  in 
a  single  comma  or  semicolon.  In  the  absence  of 
any  universally  accepted  standard  text  of  the 
Authorised  Version,  I  have  preferred  the  "  Oxford 
text."  Other  good  texts  are  those  of  the  so-called 

*  Speaker's  Commentary '  and  of  the  Cambridge 
Paragraph  Bible,  edited  by  Dr.  Scrivener. 

In  the  Introduction,  I  have  tried  to  indicate  briefly 
the  processes  by  which  the  Bible  has  come  into  its 
modern  form.  I  have  attempted  to  make  accessible 
the  chief  facts  drawn  from  some  scores  of  general 
and  special  authorities  in  fields  in  which  I  can  make 
no  pretence  to  original  scholarship.  Of  the  more 
general  and  popular  works  which  I  have  found  help- 
ful I  wish  to  mention  the  following :  A  General 
View  of  the  History  of  the  English  Bible,  by  Brooke 
F.  Westcott,  D.D. ;  The  History  of  the  English  Bible, 
by  W.  F.  Moulton,  D.D. ;  The' Literary  Man's  Bible, 
by  W.  L.  Courtney,  LL.D. ;  How  We  Got  Our 
Bible,  by  J.  Paterson  Smyth;  The  Bible  as  English 
Literature,  by  Professor  J.  H.  Gardiner.  It  is  un- 
necessary to  enumerate  the  numerous  works  of 
specialists  by  which  I  have  tried  to  check  statements 
of  fact  and  to  reconcile  frequent  discrepancies.  I 
am  indebted  to  Professor  C.  C.  Torrey,  of  Yale,  for 
helpful  suggestions  which  accompanied  his  reading 
of  the  Introduction,  both  in  manuscript  and  in  proof. 
The  selections  in  this  volume  cover  the  recom- 


viii  PREFACE 

mendation  adopted  in  New  York  City,  February 
22,  1909,  by  the  National  Conference  on  Uniform 
Entrance  Requirements  in  English,  in  the  following 
form:  "  The  Old  Testament,  comprising  at  least  the 
chief  narrative  episodes  in  Genesis,  Exodus,  Joshua, 
Judges,  Samuel,  Kings,  and  Daniel,  together  with 
the  books  of  Ruth  and  Esther."  This  action  of  th'e 
National  Conference  has  deep  significance.  For 
years  the  ignorance  of  the  Bible  on  the  part  of 
students  in  school  and  college  has  attracted  con- 
stantly increasing  attention.  In  his  vigorous  leaflet, 
Why  Not  the  Bible?  (November  i,  1906),  Profes- 
sor William  Lyon  Phelps,  of  Yale,  put  the  case 
tersely.  In  heading  with  the  Old  Testament  its 
list  of  books  for  school  reading,  the  National  Con- 
ference now  publicly  emphasizes  the  importance  to 
every  student  of  knowledge  of  the  Bible  as  liter- 
ature. Without  forgetting  many  who  have  worked 
in  a  common  cause,  I  cannot  fail  to  mention  the 
service  of  Professor  Wilbur  L.  Cross,  of  Yale, 
chairman  of  the  important  committee  which  has 
dealt  with  the  revision  of  college  entrance  require- 
ments. 

YALE  UNIVERSITY,  March  77,  igog. 


CONTENTS 

SELECTION  PAGE 

I.    THE  CREATION 1 

Genesis  i.— ii.  3. 

II.    THE  GARDEN  OF  EDEN 4 

Genesis  ii.  4 — iii. 

III.  CAIN  AND  ABEL 3 

Genesis  iv.    1-15. 

IV.  THE  FLOOD 9 

Genesis    vi.    5 — ix.    17. 

V.    THE  TOWER  OF  BABEL !6 

Genesis    xi.    1-9. 

VI.    ABRAHAM  : 

(a)  THE  CALL  OF  ABRAHAM  ....       17 

Genesis  xii.    1-7. 

(b)  THE  COVENANT  WITH  ABRAHAM  .       .       18 

Genesis  xvii.   1-8. 

VII.     THE  DESTRUCTION  OF  SODOM  AND  GOMORRAH      19 

Genesis   xviii.    16-33;    xix.    12-29. 

VIII.    THE  SACRIFICE  OF  ISAAC 22 

Genesis   xxii.    1-19. 

IX.    THE  WOOING  OF  REBEKAH 24 

Genesis  xxiv. 

X.    ESAU  AND  JACOB 30 

Genesis  xxv.   27-34;  xxvii. — xxviii.   5;   xxviii.     10 — 
xxix.   30;    xxxii. — xxxiii.   17. 

XL    JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN       ....       43 

Genesis  xxxvii. ;  xxxix. — xlvi.    7;    xlvi.  28 — xlvii.    12. 

XII.    THE  DEATH  OF  JACOB  AND  JOSEPH  ...       69 

Genesis  xlvii.   28 — xlviii.;   xlix.    33 — 1.   3;   1.    15-26. 

XIII.   MOSES 73 

Exodus  i.  8-14;  ii.— iv.  23;  iv.  29-31. 

ix 


CONTENTS 

SELECTION  PAGE 

XIV.    THE  OPPRESSION  OF  THE  ISRAELITES         .      81 

Exodus  v.  —  vi.    13. 

XV.    THE  TEN  PLAGUES        .....      84 

Exodus  vi.  28  —  xii.  41. 

XVI.    THE  PASSAGE  OF  THE  RED  SEA    .       .       .     101 

Exodus  xiii.  17  —  xiv. 

XVII.    THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS        .       .       .105 

Exodus  xix.  —  xx.  21. 

XVIII.    THE  GOLDEN  CALF        .....     109 

Exodus  xxxii. 

XIX.    THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  .....     112 

Deuteronomy  xxxiv. 

XX.     RAHAB  AND  THE  SPIES  ...  .114 

Joshua    ii. 

XXI.     THE  SIEGE  OF  JERICHO.       .  .       .116 

Joshua  vi. 

XXII.    JOSHUA   AT  GIBEON  .     120 

Joshua    x.     1-15. 

XXIII.  THE  DEATH  OF  JOSHUA       .  .     122 

Joshua    xxiii.—  xxiv.    31.. 

XXIV.  SISERA  AND  JAEL     .       .  .127 

Judges    iv. 

XXV.    GIDEON'S  ARMY       ....  .130 

Judges   vii. 

XXVI.    ABIMELECH  AND  JOTHAM     .       .  .133 

Judges  viii.   33  —  ix. 

XXVII.    JEPHTHAH'S  Vow  ...  .     139 

Judges  xi.  30-40. 


XXVIII.    SAMSON      .....  - 

Judges    xiii.    24  —  xvi. 

XXIX.     RUTH  .......  .149 

Ruth. 

XXX.    THE  CALL  OF  SAMUEL  .  •     157 

i    Samuel  iii.   1-20. 


CONTENTS  xi 

SELECTION  PAGE 

XXXI.    THE  ARK  OF  THE  COVENANT      .       .       .     159 

i   Samuel  iv.    1-18. 

XXXII.    THE  ANOINTING  OF  SAUL     .       ...       .     161 

i    Samuel    viii.— x.    9. 

XXXIII.  JONATHAN  AND  HIS  ARMOURBEARER  .       .     168 

i   Samuel  xiv.   1-23. 

XXXIV.  SAUL'S  DISOBEDIENCE 170 

i    Samuel    xv. 

XXXV.    THE  ANOINTING  OF  DAVID  ....     174 

i    Samuel   xvi. 

XXXVI.    DAVID  AND  GOLIATH 176 

i    Samuel    xvii. — xviii.    16. 

XXXVII.    DAVID  AND  JONATHAN 183 

i    Samuel   xx. 

XXXVIII.     DAVID  AND  SAUL '  .     188 

i   Samuel  xxiv. ;  xxvi. — xxvii.  4 

XXXIX.     THE  WITCH  OF  EN-DOR        .       .       .       .193 

i   Samuel  xxviii.   3-25;  xxxi.   1-6. 

XL.    DAVID  AND  BATH-SHEBA       ....     197 

ii  Samuel  xi. — xii.  24. 

XLI.    THE  REVOLT  OF  ABSALOM     ....     202 

ii  Samuel  xviii. 

XLII.     THE  JUDGMENT  OF  SOLOMON       .       .       .     206 

i  Kings  iii.  5-28. 

XLIII.    THE  QUEEN  OF  SHEBA 208 

i  Kings  x.  1-13. 

XLIV.    REHOBOAM  AND  JEROBOAM     ....     210 

i  Kings  xi.  4-13;  xi.  26 — xii.  20. 

XLV.    ELIJAH 215 

i    Kings  xvi.   29-33;   xvii.    1-16;   xviii.    1-2;   xviii. 
1 7 — xix. 

XLVI.    NABOTH'S  VINEYARD 223 

i   Kings  xxi. 

XLVII.    THE  DEATH  OF  AHAB 226 

i   Kings  xxii.   29-40. 


xii  CONTENTS 

SELECTION  .  PAGE 

XLVIII.    THE  TRANSLATION  OF  ELIJAH    .       .       .    227 

ii  Kings  ii. 

XLIX.    ELISHA 230 

II   Kings  iv.    1-37. 

L.     NAAMAN,  THE  LEPER 234 

ii  Kings  v. 

LI.    JEHU  AND  JEZEBEL 237 

ii  Kings  ix. 

LII.    THE  DEATH  OF  ELISHA       .       .       .       .241 

ii  Kings  xiii.  14-20. 

LIII.    HEZEKIAH 242 

ii  Kings  xviii.   1-17;  xix.   1-19;  xix.   35 — xx. 

LIV.    JOSIAH'S  RENEWAL  OF  THE  COVENANT     .     248 

n  Kings  xxii. — xxiii.   5. 

LV.    THE  CAPTURE  OF  JERUSALEM       .       .       .     252 

ii  Kings  xxiv.  8 — xxv.  13. 

LVI.    ESTHER 255 

Esther. 

LVII.    NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S  DREAMS        .       .       .     274 

Daniel  ii.  and  iv. 

LVITI.    THE  BURNING  FIERY  FURNACE    .       .       .284 

Daniel    iii. 

LIX.    BELSHAZZAR'S  FEAST 287 

Daniel    v. 

LX.    THE  DEN  OF  LIONS 291 

Daniel  vi. 


THE 

UN8VE 


INTRODUCTION 

THE  most  obvious  fact  about  the  English  Bible 
is  that  it  is  a  translation.  Translation  usually  im- 
plies distinct  loss  in  both  the  letter  and  spirit  of  the 
original,  but  the  English  Bible  has  been  the  most 
vital  influence  upon  the  thought  and  expression  of 
the  English  race.  Its  vigor  and  spontaneity  ani- 
mate alike  religious  and  secular  literature.  Its 
vocabulary  and  phrase  are  part  of  the  genius  of  the 
language.  Since  it  is,  however,  a  translation,  some 
account  should  first  be  given  of  the  origin  and 
development  of  the  original  Bible. 

I.      THE    ORIGIN    AND   DEVELOPMENT    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

The  word  "  Bible,"  singular  in  usage,  but  plural  in 
derivation,  suggests  at  the  outset  that  "  The  Book ' 
is  really  a  unified  collection  of  books.  The  most 
casual  reader  cannot  fail  to  note  division  not  merely 
between  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  but  between 
different  parts  of  the  same  Testament.  Certain 
current  phrases,  furthermore,  emphasize  the  group- 
relationship  of  individual,  books — "  the  books  of 
Moses,"  "the  Gospels,"  "the  Epistles."  One  of 
the  most  familiar  verses  in  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount  reads  thus :  "  Therefore  all  things  whatso- 
ever ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even 
so  to  them:  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

xiii 


xiv  INTRODUCTION 

Later  in  the  Gospel  of  Matthew  occurs  this  passage : 
"  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind< 
This  is  the  first  and  great  commandment.  And  the 
second  is  like  unto  it,  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour 
as  thyself.  On  these  two  commandments  hang  all 
the  law  and  the  prophets."  In  each  quotation  the 
final  phrase  is  significant.  It  points  to  a  distinction 
between  parts  of  the  Old  Testament  as  familiar 
then  as  the  distinction  between  the  two  Testaments 
is  to-day.  In  its  more  extended  form,  '  The  Law, 
the  Prophets,  and  the  Other  Writings  (or,  the  Rest 
of  the  Books),"  the  phrase  marks  with  reasonable 
accuracy  the  three  major  divisions  in  the  formation 
of  the  Old  Testament. 

The  processes  of  development  within  each  divi- 
sion may  be  illustrated  sufficiently  by  some  com- 
ment upon  the  so-called  '  five  books  of  Moses." 
Whoever  reads  the  account  of  the  death  of  Moses 
in  the  last  chapter  of  Deuteronomy  sees  that  the 
tradition  which  ascribes  the  authorship  of  the  first 
five  books  of  the  Bible  to  Moses  cannot  be  accepted 
literally  in  complete  detail.  In  an  earlier  chapter 
in  Deuteronomy,  where  Moses  bids  the  Levites  place 
the  "  book  of  the  law  '  which  he  had  written  '  in 
the  side  of  the  ark  of  the  covenant,"  the  reference 
is  evidently  not  to  the  complete  Pentateuch,  or 
"  five  books  of  Moses,"  in  the  form  now  known 
to  the  English  reader.  Obviously  the  Pentateuch 
developed  gradually,  assuming  final  form  only  after 
many  transitional  stages.  Hebrew  literature  fol- 
lowed a  natural  course.  With  primitive  peoples 
records  are  transmitted  rather  by  oral  tradition 


INTRODUCTION  xv 

than  by  written  document.  With  progress  from  a 
nomadic  state  to  more  formal  political  organization 
comes  the  need  of  permanent  laws  and  records.  It 
has  been  claimed  that  the  earliest  written  record  in 
the  Pentateuch  was  probably  the  '  ten  words  of 
Moses,"  afterwards  expanded  into  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments. At  all  events,  as  the  legal  and  cere- 
monial aspects  of  Hebrew  life  and  religion  devel- 
oped, there  was  a  growing  necessity  for  definite 
written  documents.  Broadly  speaking,  the  process 
that  went  on  was  the  constant  transmission  and 
revision,  from  age  to  age,  of  ever  increasing  literary 
material — history,  law,  poetry,  religious  ritual — 
until  the  original  elements  were  moulded  into  a 
composite  mass. 

Higher  Criticism  has  been  busy  with  the  task  of 
resolving  this  composite  into  its  original  elements. 
Its  general  conclusions  may  be  briefly  indicated. 
The  Pentateuch,  in  its  final  form,  comes  chiefly 
from  the  hands  of  priestly  writers  during  and  after 
the  Hebrew  exile  in  Babylon.  Previously  the 
various  documents  included  in  it  had  undergone 
several  revisions.  Four  writers,  or  sets  of  writers, 
can  be  distinguished  in  the  final  composite.  Of 
these  the  earliest  are  designated  as  the  Jahvist  (or 
Jehovist),  who  uses  "  Jahveh,"  and  the  Elohist, 
who  uses  "  Elohim,"  to  render  "  God."  They  date 
respectively  from  about  850  and  750  B.C.  Their 
work,  found  chiefly  in  the  Pentateuch  and  Joshua, 
was  united  by  a  Later  hand.  The  third  writer,  the 
Deuteronomist,  dates  from  Josiah's  promulgation 
of  the  original  Deuteronomy  in  621  B.C.  Finally 
come  the  Priestly  revisers,  especially  about  the  time 


xvi  INTRODUCTION 

of  Ezra  and  Nehemiah,  in  the  fifth  century  B.C. 
Various  considerations  of  statement,  style,  and 
viewpoint  aid  the  Biblical  scholar  in  distinguishing 
the  original  elements  thus  merged  in  the  final  com- 
posite record. 

After  the  student  of  literature  has  become  some- 
what familiar  with  the  general  processes  of  evolu- 
tion of  the  text  of  the  Bible,  his  inquiry  is  apt  to 
turn  toward  the  reasons  for  the  inclusion  of  some 
and  the  rejection  of  other  books  in  the  formation 
of  the  accepted  Bible.  The  word  "  Canon,"  mean- 
ing in  the  original  Greek  a  "  straight  rod,"  is  figu- 
ratively applied  to  those  Scriptures  which  are  ac- 
cepted as  genuinely  of  sacred  authority,  in  distinc- 
tion from  the  "  apocryphal '  books  of  uncertain 
authority.  In  621  B.C.  King  Josiah  took  the  "  book 
of  the  law  '  found  by  the  high  priest,  read  it  in 
solemn  assembly  to  his  people,  and  "made  a  cove- 
nant before  the  Lord,  to  walk  after  the  Lord,  and 
to  keep  his  commandments  and  his  testimonies  and 
his  statutes  with  all  their  heart  and  all  their  soul, 
to  perform  the  words  of  this  covenant  that  were 
written  in  this  book.  And  all  the  people  stood  to 
the  covenant."  (2  Kings  xxiii.  3.)  The  act  marks 
the  acceptance  of  certain  written  words  as  invested 
with  peculiar  sanctity. 

During  the  period  of  the  Babylonian  exile,  in  the 
sixth  century  B.C.,  the  priests  developed  more  and 
more  the  authority  of  the  Law.  About  the  middle 
of  the  next  century  there  returned  from  Babylon 
to  Jerusalem  with  the  second  section  of  the  Hebrew 
exiles,  "  a  ready  scribe  in  the  law  of  Moses  "  named 
Ezra.  He  had  "  prepared  his  heart  to  seek  the  law 


INTRODUCTION  xvii 

of  the  Lord,  and  to  do  it,  and  to  teach  in  Israel 
statutes  and  judgments."  It  has  been  suggested 
that  he  was  "  the  final  redactor  of  the  Pentateuch, 
separating  it  from  the  historical  work  consisting  of 
Joshua  and  the  subsequent  writings."  He  seems 
at  least  a  central  figure  in  the  establishment  of  the 
"  Law  '  as  the  final  authority  for  the  guidance  of 
his  race. 

The  second  division,  or  "  layer,"  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment Canon — the  "  Prophets  " — is  linked  with  the 
name  of  Nehemiah.  The  second  chapter  of  the 
second  book  of  the  Maccabees  records  that 
Nehemiah,  "  founding  a  library,  gathered  together 
the  acts  of  the  kings,  and  the  prophets,  and  of 
David,  and  the  epistles  of  the  kings  concern- 
ing the  holy  gifts."  Nehemiah's  collection  included 
probably  the  historical  books  beginning  with  Joshua, 
most  of  the  prophetic  books,  and  some  writings  that 
did  not  establish  themselves  in  the  Canon.  Later 
works,  like  the  book  of  Jonah,  were  afterwards 
added,  but  in  the  second  century  B.C.  the  frequent 
use  of  the  phrase,  The  Law  and  the  Prophets," 
seems  to  show  that  the  second  division  of  the  Old 
Testament  had  been  completed,  and  accepted  side 
by  side  with  the  "  Law." 

The  third  division  of  the  Old  Testament  includes 
the  "  Other  Writings,"  or  "  The  Rest  of  the  Books." 
Their  varying  character  and  contents  raise  many 
details  of  controversy,  but  the  general  basis  for  their 
inclusion  in  the  Canon  is  largely  their  connection 
with  the  previously  accepted  books.  Thus  the 
Psalms  gain  authority  by  association  with  David, 
and  Proverbs  with  Solomon.  Disputes  as  to  the 


xviii  INTRODUCTION 

inclusion  of  such  books  as  Esther  and  Ecclesiastes 
did,  indeed,  persist  vigorously  until  about  the  end 
of  the  first  century  of  the  Christian  era,  and  spas- 
modically even  later.  Furthermore,  even  the  final 
establishment  of  the  regular  Hebrew  Canon  did  not 
settle  the  matter  for  all  sects.  The  Samaritans 
accepted  only  the  Pentateuch,  while  the  Alexandrian 
Jews  used  the  Greek  version  of  the  Scriptures,  the 
'  Septuagint,"  which  intermingled  canonical  and 
apocryphal  books. 

Josephus,  the  historian,  in  a  memorable,  but  not 
wholly  accurate  passage  (Contra  Apion.  i.  8),  shows 
the  attitude  of  many  toward  the  Hebrew  Canon  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  first  century  A.D.  :  '  For  we 
have  not  an  innumerable  multitude  of  books  among 
us  ...  but  only  twenty-two  books,  which  con- 
tain the  records  of  all  the  past  times :  which  are 
justly  believed  to  be  divine."  His  added  statement, 
that  since  the  days  of  Artaxerxes — in  whose  reign 
Ezra  returned  from  Babylon — "  no  one  has  been  so 
bold  as  either  to  add  anything  to  them,  to  take  any- 
thing from  them,  or  to  make  any  change  in  them," 
is  disproved  by  the  history  of  his  own  century,  but 
there  were  many  to  share  the  belief  that  the  Hebrew 
Canon  was  closed.  The  modern  reader  notices  the 
discrepancy  between  the  thirty-nine  books  of  the 
Old  Testament,  as  they  now  stand,  and  the  number 
given  by  Josephus.  His  list  includes  five  books  of 
Moses,  thirteen  of  the  Prophets,  and  four  of 
'  hymns  to  God  and  precepts  for  the  conduct  of 
human  life."  The  number  twenty-two  corresponds 
with  the  number  of  letters  in  the  Hebrew  alphabet, 
and  is  usual  with  early  Christian  writers.  In  the 


INTRODUCTION  xix 

Hebrew  Bible,  Samuel,  Kings,  and  Chronicles 
counted  as  single,  not  double,  books  and  there  was 
other  coupling  of  books  which  stand  separate  in  the 
English  Bible — as,  for  instance,  Ezra  and  Nehemiah, 
Jeremiah  and  Lamentations.  Questions  of  order 
and  arrangement  remained  accordingly  for  later 
settlement,  but,  for  present  purposes,  the  history  of 
the  Hebrew  Old  Testament  ends  with  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Canon. 

II.      THE  SEPTUAGINT  AND  THE  VULGATE. 

Two  versions  of  the  Bible  in  other  languages 
have  special  significance  in  the  history  of  the  English 
Bible.  The  most  important  Greek  version,  the 
"  Septuagint,"  owes  its  name  to  the  tradition  that 
it  was  the  work  of  some  seventy  men.  In  its  elab- 
orated form  the  story  went  so  far  as  to  claim  that 
the  translation  was  made  independently  by  seventy- 
two  Jews,  working  in  separate  cells,  and  that  their 
results  when  compared  were  found  identical,  and 
hence  accepted  as  inspired.  The  marked  inequal- 
ities of  different  parts  of  the  work  sufficiently  dis- 
prove this  legend  and  seem  to  support  the  belief  that 
the  version  was  the  product  of  different  times  as 
well  as  of  different  hands.  Probably  begun  about 
three  hundred  years  before  the  Christian  era,  the 
Septuagint  was  the  version  used  by  the  Alexandrian 
Jews  and  by  the  early  Christians.  From  it  were 
taken  practically  all  the  quotations  from  the  Old 
Testament  which  occur  in  the  Greek  New  Testa- 
ment. In  the  first  place,  then,  it  ultimately,  though 
indirectly,  influenced  the  English  translations  of  the 


xx  INTRODUCTION 

Greek  New  Testament  in  form  of  literary  ex- 
pression. In  the  second  place,  it  gave  the  modern 
order  of  arrangement  of  the  Old  Testament  books. 
The  Hebrew  Canon,  it  will  be  recalled,  had  arranged 
its  three  layers  in  chronological  order  of  develop- 
ment— the  Law,  the  Prophets,  the  Other  Writings. 
The  Septuagint  substituted  a  literary  rearrangement 
— the  historical  books  in  proper  sequence,  then  the 
poetic  and  wisdom  books,  and  finally  the  prophets. 
In  the  third  place,  the  Septuagint  supplied  to 
English  translators  the  apocryphal  books,  which 
were  not  included  in  the  Hebrew  Canon  but  which 
possess  at  least  marked  literary  importance. 

Far  more  significant,  however,  in  influence  upon 
the  English  Bible  was  the  great  Latin  version  known 
as  the  Vulgate."  The  name,  derived  from  the 
Latin  '  vulgata  '  (supply  "  editio  '  or  "versio"), 
signifies  that  it  was  the  commonly  known  version. 
Down  to  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  in  fact,  it 
was  the  Bible  of  the  European  Church.  Toward 
the  close  of  the  fourth  century  A.DV  the  various 
Latin  texts  of  the  Scriptures  had  become  so  much 
corrupted  that  revision  was  imperative.  For  this 
important  work  the  Pope  selected  the  great  scholar 
best  known  as  Saint  Jerome.  Jerome's  work  con- 
sisted partly  of  revision  of  previous  texts  and  partly 
of  direct  translation  from  the  original  Hebrew  of 
the  Old  Testament.  At  first  Jerome's  Bible 
encountered  violent  opposition  in  some  quarters,  but 
eventually  it  established  itself  as  the  recognized 
version  of  the  Western  Church.  In  process  of 
time  errors  of  copyists  and  commentators  corrupted 
Jerome's  text  so  that  there  grew  up  various  dis- 


INTRODUCTION  xxi 

cordant  versions,  and  there  was  authoritative  re- 
vision of  the  Vulgate  text  at  the  close  of  the  six- 
teenth century. 

The  Vulgate  vitally  influenced  the  English  Bible 
because  it  was  the  Bible  of  the  Early  English  trans- 
lators. The  virile  strength  and  rich  beauty  of 
Jerome's  Latin  animated  and  colored  the  literary 
style  of  Tyndale  and  his  followers.  Jerome's 
Latin  was  not  classical,  but  that  Low  Latin  which 
admitted  more  colloquial  forms  and  greater  flex- 
ibility of  word-order  and  construction.  Further- 
more, Jerome's  work  was  important  in  giving  to 
the  varying  styles  of  earlier  hands  a  common  unity 
of  expression.  The  Vulgate  influenced  directly  the 
phrasing  of  specific  passages  even  in  the  King  James 
version,  and  in  a  larger  sense  stamped  its  impress 
infallibly  on  the  general  literary  style  of  the  English 
translators. 

III.       ENGLISH  VERSIONS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

Anglo-Saxon  literature  contains  various  versions 
of  parts  of  the  Bible,  ranging  from  the  free  Para- 
phrase of  Caedmon,  the  seventh-century  monk  who, 
according  to  the  venerable  Bede,  "  sang  the  creation 
of  the  world,  the  origin  of  man,  and  all  the  history 
of  Genesis,"  together  with  many  other  things,  to 
Bede's  own  translation  of  the  Gospel  according  to 
St.  John.  It  is  characteristic  of  that  devout  spirit 
which  linked  naturally  the  sacred  with  the  secular 
that  Alfred  the  Great  prefixed  to  his  "  Book  of 
Laws,"  in  somewhat  altered  form,  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments of  Moses.  In  general,  the  Anglo-Saxon 


xxii  INTRODUCTION 

Biblical  versions  now  extant  include  the  Psalter,  the 
Gospels,  the  Pentateuch,  and  some  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment historical  books.  Doubtless  there  were  other 
versions  now  lost,  but  though  such  works  may  have 
fostered  the  spirit  of  devotion,  they  can  have  had 
little  tangible  influence  upon  the  letter  of  the  text 
of  the  English  Bible.  After  the  Norman  Conquest 
there  were  poetical  paraphrases,  like  the  Ormulum, 
written  by  the  monk  Orm,  or  Ormin,  about  the 
beginning  of  the  thirteenth  century,  and  finally 
some  fourteenth-century  versions  of  the  Psalter, 
the  earliest  in  English  prose. 

The  first  complete  English  translation  of  the 
Bible  was  primarily  the  work  of  John  Wycliffe, 
the  "  Morning  Star  of  the  Reformation."  Assisted 
by  Nicholas  of  Hereford,  who  translated  much 
of  the  Old  Testament  and  of  the  Apocrypha,  he 
rendered  the  Bible  from  the  Latin  of  the  Vulgate 
into  English,  about  1382.  Wycliffe  died  in  1384, 
and  a  few  years  later  John  Purvey  revised  the 
work.  Copies  of  the  versions  circulated  in  manu- 
script, despite  the  opposition  of  the  Church  and  its 
prosecution  of  many  who  persisted  in  owning  or 
reading  the  Bible  in  English. 

From  the  scholarly  standpoint  the  chief  defect  of 
Wycliffe's  Bible  is  that  it  was  translated  not  from 
the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek,  but  from  the  Latin 
of  the  imperfect  Vulgate  texts  then  current.  From 
the  popular  standpoint  its  chief  drawback  was  that 
it  had  to  circulate  in  manuscript.  Two  mighty 
influences  of  the  fifteenth  century  tended  to  remove 
these  obstacles  to  the  advance  of  the  English  Bible. 
The  Renaissance,  or  revival  of  learning  in  Europe, 


INTRODUCTION  xxiii 

spread  the  study  of  Greek  among  scholars ;  the 
discovery  of  the  art  of  printing  heralded  the  time 
when  the  Bible  should  become  generally  accessible 
to  the  people.  The  fall  of  Constantinople,  in  1453, 
turned  the  tide  of  Greek  scholarship  to  Italy. 
Thence,  scholars  like  Colet  and  Grocyn,  who  had 
studied  in  Italy,  brought  to  England  the  new 
enthusiasm  for  learning.  Oxford  and  Cambridge 
began  to  teach  Greek,  and  finally,  in  1516,  Erasmus 
published  the  first  edition  of  his  Greek  New  Testa- 
ment. Later  editions  were  used  by  Luther  and 
Tyndale.  Fortunately,  to  Colet  and  Erasmus, 
scholarship  was  the  means  to  a  great  end.  For 
centuries  theologians  had  been,  to  use  Bacon's 
phrase,  cymini  sectores,  "  hairsplitters."  Colet  and 
Erasmus  declared  that  the  Bible  could  be  readily 
understood  by  all  and  should  not  be  reserved  for  a 
handful  of  theologians.  "  I  totally  dissent,"  wrote 
Erasmus,  (  from  those  who  are  unwilling  that  the 
Sacred  Scriptures,  translated  into  the  vulgar  tongue, 
should  be  read  by  private  individuals,  as  if  Christ 
had  taught  such  subtle  doctrines  that  they  can  with 
difficulty  be  understood  by  a  very  few  theologians, 
or  as  if  the  strength  of  the  Christian  religion  lay  in 
men's  ignorance  of  it." 

The  teachings  of  Colet  and  Erasmus  found  yet 
more  powerful  utterance  in  William  Tyndale. 
Whether  he  studied  directly  under  Colet  at  Oxford 
and  under  Erasmus  at  Cambridge  is  questionable, 
but  at  all  events  his  years  at  both  universities 
brought  him  close  to  the  enthusiasm  they  had 
kindled.  The  desire  of  Erasmus  that  the  husband- 
man might  sing  parts  of  the  Scriptures  at  his 


xxiv  INTRODUCTION 

plough  is  echoed  in  Tyndale's  remark  to  a  "  learned 
man":  "If  God  spare  my  life,  ere  many  years  I 
will  cause  a  boy  that  driveth  the  plough  shall  know 
more  of  the  Scripture  than  thou  doest."  Believing 
that  "  it  was  impossible  to  establish  the  lay  people 
in  any  truth  except  the  Scripture  were  plainly 
laid  before  their  eyes  in  their  mother  tongue,  that 
they  might  see  the  process,  order  and  meaning  of 
the  text,"  Tyndale  set  himself  to  translate  the  Bible 
into  English.  Unable  to  accomplish  his  task  either 
in  the  country  or  in  London,  where  he  vainly  sought 
the  aid  of  the  Bishop  of  London,  he  left  England 
forever.  Even  on  the  Continent  danger  threatened. 
Enemies  interrupted  his  attempt  to  print  his  work 
in  Cologne,  but  in  the  Lutheran  city  of  Worms  he 
completed  both  the  annotated  quarto  edition  of  the 
New  Testament  begun  at  Cologne  and  an  octavo 
edition  without  marginal  notes — the  first  English 
versions  translated  from  the  original  Greek. 

Despite  warnings  to  Henry  VIII.  of  the  impend- 
ing "  infection  and  danger,"  despite  determined 
efforts  to  destroy  or  to  exclude  Tyndale's  trans- 
lation, copies  of  his  New  Testament  arrived  in 
England  early  in  ^  1526,  and  circulated  rapidly. 
Attacks  upon  the  translation  as  heretical  and  con- 
fiscation and  burning  of  copies  of  the  work  were 
alike  ineffective  in  stilling  the  tide  of  awakening 
popular  interest.  Some  four  years  later  Tyndale 
published  a  translation  from  the  Hebrew  of  the  Pen- 
tateuch, and  in  1534  a  revision  of  his  New  Testa- 
ment. When  Tyndale's  Testament  was  burned  in 
England  he  wrote :  "  In  burning  the  New  Testament, 
they  did  none  other  thing  than  I  looked  for;  no 


INTRODUCTION  xxv 

more  shall  they  do  if  they  burn  me  also,  if  it  be 

God's  will  it  shall  so  be."  The  words  were  pro- 
phetic. Betrayed  in  Antwerp,  Tyndale  met  death  at 
the  stake  in  1536.  In  his  Book  of  Martyrs,  Foxe 
rightly  called  him  "  an  apostle  of  England." 

Tyndale  was  the  father  of  the  modern  English 
Bible.  He  fixed  essentially  its  literary  style.  Study 
of  his  vocabulary  and  phrase  emphasizes  the  resem- 
blances rather  than  the  differences  between  his  text 
and  later  versions.  Clearness,  simplicity,  vigor, 
vividness,  dignity — these  were  the  qualities  which 
Tyndale  impressed  upon  the  English  Bible.  To 
other  revisers  we  owe  countless  and  important 
changes  in  detail ;  to  Tyndale  we  owe  the  very 
character  of  the  noblest  English  prose.  Scholarly 
research  has  shown  the  remarkable  influence  of 
Tyndale  upon  the  Authorised  Version,  even  in  the 
reproduction  of  faults  and  inconsistencies  in  his 
rendering.  Partisans  of  Wycliffe  have  sometimes 
sought  to  transfer  to  him  much  of  the  credit  due  to 
Tyndale,  but  few  who  study  the  biography  of  Tyn- 
dale will  be  disposed  to  question  the  sincerity  of  his 
statement  that  he  had  '  no  man  to  counterfeit 
[imitate],  neither  was  holpen  with  English  of  any 
that  had  interpreted  the  same  or  such  like  thing  in 
the  Scripture  beforetime." 

Tyndale  never  translated  the  entire  Bible.  The 
first  complete  translation  into  English  by  a  single 
hand  was  published  by  Miles  Coverdale,  in  1535.  In 
the  decade  since  Tyndale's  New  Testament  had  ap- 
peared, Henry  VIII.  had  been  proclaimed  supreme 
head  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  had  broken 
with  the  Pope,  who  had  refused  to  sanction  his 


xxvi  INTRODUCTION 

marriage  to  Anne  Boleyn.  Tyndale's  work  had 
gone  forth  without  even  bearing  his  name;  Cover- 
dale  was  able  to  issue  his  work  under  the  patronage 
of  Thomas  Cromwell,  and  with  a  dedication  to  the 
king.  Coverdale's  translation  was  not  direct,  but 
was  based  on  '  sundry  translations,  not  only  in 
Latin,  but  also  of  the  Dutch  [German]  interpreters," 
and  on  Tyndale.  His  own  modest  disclaimers  show 
that  he  spoke  not  with  authority,  but  as  one  of  the 
scribes.  His  chief  services  were  in  maintaining 
Tyndale's  simplicity  of  diction,  while  imparting 
greater  finish  and  rhythm  of  phrase,  and  in  com- 
pleting the  Old  Testament  translation. 

In  1537  appeared  Matthew's  Bible.  Possibly  the 
name  of  Thomas  Matthew,  which  stands  on  the 
title-page  as  that  of  the  translator,  was  only  assumed 
by  John  Rogers,  who  edited  the  work.  In  all 
probability  Matthew's  Bible  contains  for  the  first 
time  a  translation  by  Tyndale  of  the  books  from 
Joshua  through  Chronicles,  which  he  might  readily 
have  intrusted  to  Rogers  during  his  association 
with  him  in  Antwerp.  In  general,  Matthew's  Bible 
followed  the  translation  of  Tyndale,  supplying  the 
missing  parts  from  Coverdale's  complete  version.1 

Tyndale's  translation  had  been  vigorously  assailed 
by  the  king;  Coverdale's  first  edition,  though  not 
directly  sanctioned  by  the  king,  was  not  suppressed, 
and  the  editions  of  1537  were  "set  forth  with  the 
king's  most  gracious  license ;"  Matthew's  Bible, 
though  it  contained  Tyndale's  condemned  work,  was 
'  allowed  by  his  [the  king's]  authority  to  be  bought 

1  Of  minor  importance  is  Taverner's   Bible,  printed  in 
London  in  1539,  based  chiefly  on  Matthew's. 


INTRODUCTION  xxvii 

and  read  within  this  realm."  Still  more  authorita- 
tive sanction  by  the  government  was  accorded  to 
the  'Great  Bible'  of  1539.  Thomas  Cromwell, 
who  had  been  instrumental  in  securing  the  king's 
license  for  the  English  Bible,  sent  Miles  Coverdale 
to  Paris  to  prepare  a  new  version  based  on 
Matthew's.  The  work  was  interrupted  by  the 
power  of  the  Inquisition,  but  Coverdale  and  Graf- 
ton,  his  printer,  escaped  to  London  with  workmen, 
presses,  and  most  of  their  printed  sheets,  and  com- 
pleted the  work.  In  1540  a  second  edition  appeared, 
with  a  preface  by  Archbishop  Cranmer,  and  though 
the  'Great  Bible'  was  due  mainly  to  Coverdale's 
labor  and  Cromwell's  zealous  support,  the  work  is 
frequently  known  as  "  Cranmer's  Bible."  When 
the  king  issued  a  favorable  declaration  "  to  be  read 
by  all  curates  upon  the  publishing  of  the  Bible  in 
English,"  when  six  Bibles  were  set  up  in  St.  Paul's 
Church  to  be  read  by  the  people,  and  when  six 
editions  of  the  Great  Bible  were  printed  in  1540  and 
1541,  it  seemed  that  the  English  Bible  had  become 
at  last  an  open  book. 

The  current  so  favorable  to  the  English  Bible 
soon  turned.  In  1543  Parliament  passed  a  stringent 
act  restricting  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  pro- 
scribed Tyndale's  work,  and  required  the  excision 
of  notes  in  other  copies  of  the  Bible.  Three  years 
later  Coverdale's  New  Testament  came  also  under 
the  ban.  The  death  of  Henry  and  the  accession 
of  Edward  VI. ,  in  1547,  checked  the  reaction.  In 
the  six  and  a  half  years  of  Edward's  brief  reign 
there  appeared  thirteen  editions  of  the  entire  Bible 
and  thirty-five  of  the  New  Testament.  The  young 


xxviii  INTRODUCTION 

king  not  merely  removed  Henry's  restrictions  upon 
the  use  of  the  Bible,  but  required  that  copies  should 
be  set  up  for  reading  in  the  churches. 

In  the  reign  of  Mary  the  pendulum  swung  back 
again  to  the  side  of  reaction.  Rogers  and  Cranmer 
suffered  death,  Coverdale  and  many  other  English 
Protestants  became  refugees  on  the  Continent,  and 
the  English  press  was  shut  against  the  Bible. 
Geneva,  the  home  of  Calvin,  was  a  natural  refuge 
for  -the  English  Calvinists.  From  that  little  band 
of  exiles  came  a  new  translation  of  the  Bible  of 
wide-reaching  significance.  The  Genevan  Testa- 
ment, probably  the  work  of  Whittingham,  who  had 
married  Calvin's  sister,  was  published  in  1557.  An 
interesting  detail  connected  with  the  work  is  that 
it  gave  to  English  readers  for  the  first  time  the 
modern  system  of  short  verses  in  the  arrangement 
of  the  text.  With  the  accession  of  Elizabeth,  in 
1558,  most  of  the  Protestant  exiles  returned  to 
England,  but  two  or  three  remained  with  Whit- 
tingham to  complete  the  Biblical  translation.  The 
Genevan  Bible1  was  printed  in  1560.  Everything 
seemed  to  conspire  in  favor  of  its  success.  The 
work  had  been  accomplished  under  circumstances  in 
reality  favorable.  The  very  exile  of  the  translators 
deepened  their  solemn  devotion  to  their  task,  and  in 
Geneva  their  labors  were  uninterrupted  by  political 
turmoil  at  home.  The  work  was  brought  forth 
after  Elizabeth  had  succeeded  to  the  throne.  It 
was  printed  in  Roman  letter,  with  chapters  divided 

1  Popularly,  it  is  known  as  the  "  Breeches  Bible,"  on 
account  of  the  rendering  "  made  themselves  breeches,"  in 
the  third  chapter  of  Genesis. 


INTRODUCTION  xxix 

into  verses,  and  in  quarto  form  instead  of  in  the 
unwieldy  folios  that  had  preceded  it.  The  marginal 
comments  were  clear  and  to  the  point.  The  dom- 
inant note  of  the  translation  was  faithful  accuracy 
to  the  original  texts.  Although  it  did  not  supplant 
the  Great  Bible  in  English  ecclesiastical  use,  the 
Genevan  Bible  was  so  popular  that  some  seventy 
editions  of  all  descriptions  were  issued  during  Eliz- 
abeth's reign.  For  the  larger  part  of  a  century  it 
was  the  household  Bible  of  the  English  people. 

The  popularity  of  the  Genevan  Bible  soon  brought 
to  light  the  imperfections  of  the  Great  Bible,  which 
was  still  in  Church  use  since  the  Genevan  Bible 
was  colored  by  traces  of  Calvinistic  theology  in  its 
notes.  Archbishop  Parker  determined  with  the  aid 
of  various  scholars  to  make  a  satisfactory  revision. 
Since  many  of  his  helpers  were  bishops,  the  work 
which  finally  appeared  in  1568  was  known  as  the 
Bishops'  Bible.  As  different  books  were  assigned 
to  different  men,  the  translation  was  not  uniform, 
and  though  it  obtained  the  sanction  of  the  Church, 
it  deservedly  failed  to  supplant  the  Genevan  Bible 
in  general  use. 

In  1582  was  published  at  Rheims  a  translation  of 
the  New  Testament  made  by  Gregory  Martin  and 
other  Oxford  scholars,  of  the  Roman  Catholic  faith. 
William  Allen,  founder  of  the  Romish  Seminary 
at  Douai,  which  was  transferred,  in  1578,  for  a 
time  to  Rheims,  sought  to  reestablish  the  power  of 
the  Church  of  Rome  in  England.  The  translation 
which  he  doubtless  suggested  was,  accordingly,  to 
be  based  on  the  Vulgate,  the  accepted  text  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church.  The  appearance  of  the 


xxx  INTRODUCTION 

Old  Testament  translation,  at  Douai,  was  delayed 
until  1609-10.  These  works  are  usually  known  as 
the  Rhemish  New  Testament  and  the  Douai  Bible. 
In  versions  based  on  the  Vulgate  it  was  natural  that 
Latin  diction  should  strongly  color  the  translation. 
Many  renderings  of  the  Rhemish  New  Testament 
were  retained  in  the  Authorised  Version,  with 
marked  gain  in  richness  and  variety  of  phrase. 
Thus  the  work  of  scholars  on  the  Continent  directly 
aided  the  next  translation  in  England,  the  King 
James  or  Authorised  Version. 

IV.      THE    KING   JAMES   OR    AUTHORISED   VERSION. 

At  the  accession  of  James  I.,  the  two  English 
versions  of  the  Bible  in  widest  use  were  the  Bishops' 
Bible,  sanctioned  for  ecclesiastical  use,  and  the 
Genevan  Bible,  the  common  version  of  the  people. 
This  unfortunate  conflict  of  authority  was  soon  to 
be  settled.  In  January,  1604,  there  was  held  the 
Hampton  Court  Conference,  convoked  by  the  new 
king  to  settle  differences  between  the  Puritans  and 
the  Church  of  England.  Among  the  minor  pro- 
ceedings one  developed  ultimately  into  paramount 
importance.  Dr.  Reynolds,  President  of  Corpus 
Christi  College,  Oxford,  a  Puritan  leader,  "moved 
his  Majesty  that  there  might  be  a  new  translation 
of  the  Bible,  because  those  which  were  allowed  in 
the  reign  of  King  Henry  VIII.  and  Edward  VI. 
were  corrupt,  and  not  answerable  to  the  truth  of 
the  original."  Although  the  Conference  adjourned 
without  further  steps  in  this  matter,  the  king  evi- 
dently approved  the  suggestion.  On  July  22  he 
wrote  to  the  Bishop  of  London  that  he  had  '  ap- 


INTRODUCTION  xxxi 

pointed  certain  learned  men,  to  the  number  of  four 
and  fifty,  for  the  translating  of  the  Bible,"  and  in- 
structed him  to  enlist  the  aid  of  learned  scholars, 
and  to  provide  preferment  in  the  Church  for  the 
translators.  Serious  work  on  the  revision  hardly 
began  before  1607.  The  lists  of  translators  now 
extant  give  but  forty-seven  names  instead  of  the 
fifty-four  of  the  king's  letter,  and  doubtless  there 
were  various  modifications  of  the  original  plans. 
The  work  was  finally  executed  by  six  companies, 
two  at  Westminster,  two  at  Cambridge,  and  two 
at  Oxford.  They  divided  among  them  the  books 
not  merely  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  but  of 
the  Apocrypha.  The  rules  of  revision  provided 
that  the  Bishops'  Bible  "  be  followed,  and  as  little 
altered  as  the  truth  of  the  original  will  permit,"  but 
"  these  translations  to  be  used  when  they  agree 
better  with  the  text  than  the  Bishops'  Bible:  Tin- 
dale's,  Matthew's,  Coverdale's,  Whitchurch's,1 
Geneva."  No  marginal  notes  were  to  be  affixed 
save  for  explanation  of  difficult  Hebrew  and  Greek 
words,  but  cross-references  from  one  part  of  the 
Bible  to  another  were  provided.  In  each  company 
the  different  scholars  were  at  first  to  work  inde- 
pendently, then  to  compare  notes,  and  then  to  submit 
their  joint  results  to  the  other  companies.  Knotty 
points  were  to  be  adjusted  in  a  general  meeting  "  of 
the  chief  persons  of  each  company."  The  final  re- 
vision occupied  nine  months,  and  was  followed  by 
the  publication  of  the  work  in  1611. 

It  is  natural  to  ask  what  were  the  chief  reasons 
for  the  supremacy  of  the  Authorised  Version.     It 
1  Whitchurch  was  the  printer  of  the  Great  Bible. 


xxxii  INTRODUCTION 

should,  indeed,  be  remembered  that  it  did  not  win 
immediately  unanimous  favor.  Puritans  missed  the 
Calvinistic  tinge  of  the  notes  and  commentary  of 
the  Genevan  Bible;  others  objected  because  they 
thought  that  parts  of  it  were  unfairly  rendered. 
Within  half  a  century,  however,  the  Authorised 
Version  grew  steadily  into  general  acceptance. 
Three  main  characteristics,  at  least,  account  for  the 
enduring  vitality  of  the  Authorised  Version — depth 
of  scholarship,  breadth  of  spirit,  and  beauty  of 
diction.  In  the  first  place,  no  previous  translation 
of  the  Bible  had  been  made  with  equal  labor  or 
scholarly  research.  The  Address  to  the  Reader 
contrasts  the  slowness  of  the  work  with  the  "  post- 
ing haste '  of  the  Septuagint,  and  the  careful  re- 
vision with  the  uncorrected  work  of  Jerome. 
Previous  translations  and  commentaries  of  English 
and  Continental  scholars  and  the  Aramaic  and 
Syriac  versions  were  used  in  connection  with  the 
original  Hebrew  and  Greek  texts.  '  Neither  did 
we  disdain,"  wrote  the  translators,  "  to  revise  that 
which  we  had  done,  and  to  bring  back  to  the  anvil 
that  which  we  had  hammered :  but  having  and  using 
as  great  helps  as  were  needful,  and  fearing  no  re- 
proach for  slowness,  nor  coveting  praise  for  expe- 
dition, we  have  at  the  length,  through  the  good  hand 
of  the  Lord  upon  us,  brought  the  work  to  that  pass 
that  you  see." 

In  the  second  place,  the  Authorised  Version  was 
executed  in  a  broad  and  sympathetic  spirit.  The 
provision  for  the  rigid  restriction  of  marginal  notes 
tended  to  substitute  for  the  Calvinistic  tone  of 
the  Genevan  Bible  and  for  the  sectarian  bias 


INTRODUCTION  xxxiii 

elsewhere  discoverable  a  spirit  of  wider  tolerance. 
Testimony  seems  to  prove  that  King  James  objected 
to  the  inclusion  of  marginal  notes  because  some 
annotations  in  the  Genevan  Bible  showed  scant 
respect  for  the  doctrine  of  the  divine  right  of  kings, 
but  in  any  case  the  omission  of  matter  that  might 
excite  controversy  was  a  decided  gain.  It  is  char- 
acteristic of  the  broad  spirit  in  which  the  revisers 
worked  that,  instead  of  holding  to  the  letter  of  their 
instructions,  they  availed  themselves  of  the  best  in 
works  like  the  Roman  Catholic  Rhemish  Version. 
Puritan,  Churchman,  and  independent  scholar 
worked  in  common  accord,  and  struck  a  happy  mean 
between  what  they  termed  "the  scrupulosity  of  the 
Puritans  '  and  "  the  obscurity '  of  some  scholars. 
Conceived  in  such  spirit,  the  Authorised  Version 
became  the  Bible  not  of  a  particular  sect,  but  of  the 
English  people. 

In  the  third  place,  the  Authorised  Version  set  the 
highest  standard  in  simplicity  and  beauty  of  diction. 
Through  the  process  of  years  the  English  Version 
of  the  Bible  had  grown  steadily  in  wealth  of  vocab- 
ulary and  flexibility  of  phrase.  Objection  has  been 
made  to  the  frequent  practice  of  rendering  the  same 
word  in  various  ways,  but  the  loss  in  strict  accuracy 
is,  from  the  literary  standpoint,  more  than  offset 
by  the  gain  in  richness  and  variety  of  expression. 
Never  probably  was  the  English  vocabulary  better 
fitted  for  the  translators'  purpose  than  when  it  was 
surcharged  with  the  rich,  virile,  and  concrete  words 
and  imagery  inherited  from  the  Elizabethan  period. 
Age  cannot  wither  it,  nor  custom  stale  its  infinite 
variety.  Subsequent  additions  have  enormously 


xxxiv  INTRODUCTION 

increased  the  vocabulary  of  scientific,  philosophical, 
and  abstract  terms,  but  these  would  have  clogged 
rather  than  enriched  the  Biblical  style.  The  Eliza- 
bethans and  their  immediate  successors  had  to  a 
marked  degree  the  faculty  of  choosing  the  right 
word  for  the  right  place.  The  phrasing  of  the 
Authorised  Version  has  that  inevitableness  which 
carries  conviction.  The  matchless  simplicity  of  the 
Biblical  style  has  been  a  powerful  factor  in  main- 
taining its  influence.  Not  even  Bunyan,  who  felt 
so  strongly  its  potency,  makes  such  an  immediate 
and  direct  appeal. 

Striking  testimony  as  to  "  the  uncommon  beauty 
and  marvellous  English  "  of  the  Authorised  Version 
is  found  in  the  words  of  the  Romanist  Father 
Faber  i1  '  It  lives  on  the  ear  like  a  music  that  can 
never  be  forgotten,  like  the  sound  of  church  bells, 
which  the  convert  scarcely  knows  how  he  can 
forego.  Its  felicities  seem  often  to  be  almost  things 
rather  than  words.  It  is  part  of  the  national  mind, 
and  the  anchor  of  the  national  seriousness.  .  .  . 
The  memory  of  the  dead  passes  into  it.  The  potent 
traditions  of  childhood  are  stereotyped  in  its  verses. 
It  is  the  representative  of  a  man's  best  moments ; 
all  that  there  has  been  about  him  of  soft,  and  gentle, 
and  pure,  and  penitent,  and  good  speaks  to  him  for 
ever  out  of  his  English  Bible." 

V.      THE    REVISED    VERSION. 

For  some  two  centuries  and  a  half  the  Authorised 
Version  held  the  field  with  little  challenge  to  its 

Quoted  in  J.  Paterson  Smyth's  "How  we  got  Our 
Bible,"  pp.  iio-in. 


INTRODUCTION  xxxv 

supremacy.  When  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer 
was  issued  in  revised  form  in  1662,  the  Psalter  of 
the  Great  Bible  was  still  retained,  but  with  few 
exceptions  the  text  of  the  1611  translation  was 
adopted  elsewhere,  as  in  the  Gospels  and  Epistles. 
In  the  nineteenth  century,  however,  the  multiplica- 
tion of  ancient  manuscripts  hitherto  unknown,  the 
advance  in  textual  scholarship,  and  the  inevitable 
changes  in  the  English  vocabulary  began  to  present 
themselves  increasingly  as  reasons  for  a  revision 
of  the  Authorised  Version.  These  tendencies  cul- 
minated in  February,  1870,  in  the  action  taken  by 
the  Convocation  of  Canterbury :  '  That  a  Committee 
of  both  Houses  be  appointed,  with  power  to  confer 
with  any  Committee  that  may  be  appointed  by  the 
Convocation  of  the  Northern  Province,  to  report 
upon  the  desirableness  of  a  revision  of  the  Author- 
ised Version  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments, 
whether  by  marginal  notes  or  otherwise,  in  all  those 
passages  where  plain  and  clear  errors,  whether  in 
the  Hebrew  or  Greek  text  originally  adopted  by  the 
translators,  or  in  the  translation  made  from  the 
same,  shall,  on  due  investigation,  be  found  to  exist." 
Though  the  Northern  Province  declined  to  co- 
operate, it  was  determined  to  proceed  with  the  work 
of  revision,  dividing  it  between  an  Old  Testament 
Company  and  a  New  Testament  Company.  A 
distinguished  array  of  divines  and  scholars  under- 
took the  work,  both  companies  holding  their  first 
meetings  in  June,  1870.  Not  long  afterwards  steps 
were  taken  to  enlist  the  aid  of  American  scholars, 
and  two  American  companies  began  their  labors  in 
October,  1872.  The  revision  of  the  New  Testa- 


xxxvi  INTRODUCTION 

ment  was  completed  in  1880,  and  the  entire  Revised 
Version  of  the  Bible  appeared  in  May,  1885. 

The  very  name,  Revised  Version,  shows  that  the 
intent  was  to  make  not  a  new  translation  of  the 
Bible,  but  a  revision  of  the  accepted  translation. 
Of  the  general  principles  adopted  by  the  revisers 
it  is  significant  that  the  first  two  are  these:  "  i.  To 
introduce  as  few  alterations  as  possible  into  the 
text  of  the  Authorised  Version  consistently  with 
faithfulness.  2.  To  limit,  as  far  as  possible,  the 
expression  of  such  alterations  to  the  language  of 
the  Authorised  and  earlier  English  Versions." 
Whether  the  Revised  Version  will  ultimately  sup- 
plant the  Authorised  Version  is  a  question  to  be 
determined  in  the  future.  The  superior  scholarship 
and  textual  accuracy  of  the  revision  is  conceded 
almost  without  question.  From  the  literary  stand- 
point, the  greatest  gain  seems  to  be  in  the  emphasis 
upon  literary  construction,  as  in  the  grouping  of 
many  verses  into  a  single  paragraph  with  reference 
to  the  thought,  and  in  recognition  of  the  dis- 
tinction between  prose  and  verse  in  Hebrew  litera- 
ture. Notwithstanding  the  many  merits  of  the 
Revised  Version,  the  fact  remains  that  from  the 
literary  viewpoint  it  must  still  concede  the  pride  of 
place  to  the  Authorised  Version.  It  is  the  Author- 
ised Version  which  for  almost  three  centuries  has 
been  an  integral  part  of  English  literature,  the 
source  of  endless  literary  reference,  the  crown- 
ing achievement  of  English  prose.  Gain  in  pre- 
cision of  rendering  in  the  Revised  Version  has 
not  outweighed  the  sacrifice  of  somewhat  of  the 
breadth  and  elemental  vigor  of  the  King  James 


INTRODUCTION  xxxvii 

Version.  Whether,  as  has  been  suggested,  the 
spirit  of  scholarly  revisers  in  these  latter  days 
sinks  inevitably  below  that  of  men  who  stood 
close  to  martyrs  whose  blood  had  consecrated  the 
pages  of  the  Bible  translation,  or  whether  modern 
imitation  lacks  Elizabethan  virility  of  diction  are 
questions  not  to  be  settled  by  mathematical  proof. 
But,  at  least  for  our  day  and  generation,  the  Bible 
of  English  Literature  is  still  the  Authorised  Version 
of  1611. 


''  -  'o  l 


«" — -___  Rivcf 


g 


fel 


fei 


OLD   TESTAMENT    NARRATIVES 

I. 

Gbe  Creation. 

Genesis  i. — ii.  3. 

IN  the  beginning  God  created  the  heaven  and  the 
earth.  And  the  earth  was  without  form,  and  void ; 
and  darkness  was  upon  the  face  of  the  deep.  And 
the  Spirit  of  God  moved  upon  the  face  of  the 
waters.  And  God  said,  Let  there  be  light :  and 
there  was  light.  And  God  saw  the  light,  that  it  was 
good :  and  God  divided  the  light  from  the  darkness. 
And  God  called  the  light  Day,  and  the  darkness  he 
called  Night.  And  the  evening  and  the  morning 
were  the  first  day. 

And  God  said,  Let  there  be  a  firmament  in  the 
midst  of  the  waters,  and  let  it  divide  the  waters 
from  the  waters.  And  God  made  the  firmament, 
and  divided  the  waters  which  were  under  the 
firmament  from  the  waters  which  were  above 
the  firmament :  and  it  was  so.  And  God  called  the 
firmament  Heaven.  And  the  evening  and  the  morn- 
ing were  the  second  day. 

And  God  said,  Let  the  waters  under  the  heaven 
be  gathered  together  unto  one  place,  and  let  the  dry 
land  appear:  and  it  was  so.  And  God  called  the 


2  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

dry  land  Earth ;  and  the  gathering  together  of  the 
waters  called  he  Seas :  and  God  saw  that  it  was 
good.  And  God  said,  Let  the  earth  bring  forth 
grass,  the  herb  yielding  seed,  and  the  fruit  tree 
yielding  fruit  after  his  kind,  whose  seed  is  in  itself, 
upon  the  earth :  and  it  was  so.  And  the  earth 
brought  forth  grass,  and  herb  yielding  seed  after 
his  kind,  and  the  tree  yielding  fruit,  whose  seed 
was  in  itself,  after  his  kind :  and  God  saw  that  it 
was  good.  And  the  evening  and  the  morning  were 
the  third  day. 

And  God  said,  Let  there  be  lights  in  the  firma- 
ment of  the  heaven  to  divide  the  day  from  the 
night ;  and  let  them  be  for  signs,  and  f or  seasons, 
and  for  days,  and  years :  and  let  them  be  for 
lights  in  the  firmament  of  the  heaven  to  give  light 
upon  the  earth :  and  it  was  so.  And  God  made 
two  great  lights ;  the  greater  light  to  rule  the  day, 
and  the  lesser  light  to  rule  the  night :  he  made  the 
stars  also.  And  God  set  them  in  the  firmament  of 
the  heaven  to  give  light  upon  the  earth,  and  to  rule 
over  the  day  and  over  the  night,  and  to  divide  the 
light  from  the  darkness :  and  God  saw  that  it  was 
good.  And  the  evening  and  the  morning  were  the 
fourth  day. 

And  God  said,  Let  the  waters  bring  forth  abund- 
antly the  moving  creature  that  hath  life,  and  fowl 
that  may  fly  above  the  earth  in  the  open  firmament 
of  heaven.  And  God  created  great  whales,  and 
every  living  creature  that  moveth,  which  the  waters 
brought  forth  abundantly,  after  their  kind,  -and 
every  winged  fowl  after  his  kind :  and  God  saw 
that  it  was  good.  And  God  blessed  them,  saying, 


THE  CREATION  3 

Be  fruitful,  and  multiply,  and  fill  the  waters  in  the 
seas,  and  let  fowl  multiply  in  the  earth.  And  the 
evening  and  the  morning  were  the  fifth  day. 

And  God  said,  Let  the  earth  bring  forth  the  liv- 
ing creature  after  his  kind,  cattle,  and  creeping 
thing,  and  beast  of  the  earth  after  his  kind :  and  it 
was  so.  And  God  made  the  beast  of  the  earth  after 
his  kind,  and  cattle  after  their  kind,  and  every 
thing  that  creepeth  upon  the  earth  after  his  kind : 
and  God  saw  that  it  was  good.  And  God  said,  Let 
us  make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness :  and 
let  them  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and 
over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  the  cattle,  and 
over  all  the  earth,  and  over  every  creeping  thing 
that  creepeth  upon  the  earth.  So  God  created  man 
in  his  own  image,  in  the  image  of  God  created  he 
him;  male  and  female  created  he  them.  And  God 
blessed  them,  and  God  said  unto  them,  Be  fruitful, 
and  multiply,  and  replenish  the  earth,  and  subdue 
it :  and  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and 
over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  every  living  thing 
that  moveth  upon  the  earth.  And  God  said,  Be- 
hold, I  have  given  you  every  herb  bearing  seed, 
which  is  upon  the  face  of  all  the  earth,  and  every 
tree,  in  the  which  is  the  fruit  of  a  tree  yielding 
seed ;  to  you  it  shall  be  for  meat.  And  to  every 
beast  of  the  earth,  and  to  every  fowl  of  the  air,  and 
to  every  thing  that  creepeth  upon  the  earth,  wherein 
there  is  life,  I  have  given  every  green  herb  for 
meat:  and  it  was  so.  And  God  saw  every  thing 
that  he  had  made,  and,  behold,  it  was  very  good. 
And  the  evening  and  the  morning  were  the  sixth 
day. 


4  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Thus  the  heavens  and  the  earth  were  finished,  and 
all  the  host  of  them.  And  on  the  seventh  day  God 
ended  his  work  which  he  had  made ;  and  he  rested 
on  the  seventh  day  from  all  his  work  which  he  had 
made.  And  God  blessed  the  seventh  day,  and 
sanctified  it:  because  that  in  it  he  had  rested  from 
all  his  work  which  God  created  and  made. 


II. 

<3arfccn  of  J&ben. 

Genesis  ii.  4 — iii. 

THESE  are  the  generations  of  the  heavens  and  of 
the  earth  when  they  were  created,  in  the  day  that 
the  Lord  God  made  the  earth  and  the  heavens,  and 
every  plant  of  the  field  before  it  was  in  the  earth, 
and  every  herb  of  the  field  before  it  grew :  for  the 
Lord  God  had  not  caused  it  to  rain  upon  the  earth, 
and  there  was  not  a  man  to  till  the  ground.  But 
there  went  up  a  mist  from  the  earth,  and  watered 
the  whole  face  of  the  ground.  And  the  Lord  God 
formed  man  of  the  dust  of  the  ground,  and  breathed 
into  his  nostrils  the  breath  of  life ;  and  man  became 
a  living  soul. 

And  the  Lord  God  planted  a  garden  eastward  in 
Eden ;  and  there  he  put  the  man  whom  he  had 
formed.  And  out  of  the  ground  made  the  Lord 
God  to  grow  every  tree  that  is  pleasant  to  the  sight, 
and  good  for  food ;  the  tree  of  life  also  in  the  midst 
of  the  garden,  and  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good 
and  evil.  And  a  river  went  out  of  Eden  to  water 


THE  GARDEN  OF  EDEN  5 

the  garden ;  and  from  thence  it  was  parted,  and  be- 
came into  four  heads.  The  name  of  the  first  is 
Pison :  that  is  it  which  compasseth  the  whole  land 
of  Havilah,  where  there  is  gold;  and  the  gold  of 
that  land  is  good :  there  is  bdellium  and  the  onyx 
stone.  And  the  name  of  the  second  river  is  Gihon : 
the  same  is  it  that  compasseth  the  whole  land  of 
Ethiopia.  And  the  name  of  the  third  river  is 
Hiddekel :  that  is  it  which  goeth  toward  the  east  of 
Assyria.  And  the  fourth  river  is  Euphrates. 

And  the  Lord  God  took  the  man,  and  put  him 
into  the  garden  of  Eden  to  dress  it  and  to  keep  it. 
And  the  Lord  God  commanded  the  man,  saying,  Of 
every  tree  of  the  garden  them  mayest  freely  eat : 
but  of  the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil, 
thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it :  for  in  the  clay  that  thou 
eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  surely  die. 

And  the  Lord  God  said,  It  is  not  good  that  the 
man  should  be  alone ;  I  will  make  him  an  help  meet 
for  him.  And  out  of  the  ground  the  Lord  God 
formed  every  beast  of  the  field,  and  every  fowl  of 
the  air ;  and  brought  them  unto  Adam  to  see  what 
he  would  call  them :  and  whatsoever  Adam  called 
every  living  creature,  that  was  the  name  thereof. 
And  Adam  gave  names  to  all  cattle,  and  to  the  fowl 
of  the  air,  and  to  every  beast  of  the  field ;  but  for 
Adam  there  was  not  found  an  help  meet  for  him. 
And  the  Lord  God  caused  a  deep  sleep  to  fall  upon 
Adam,  and  he  slept :  and  he  took  one  of  his  ribs, 
and  closed  up  the  flesh  instead  thereof;  and  the 
rib,  which  the  Lord  God  had  taken  from  man,  made 
he  a  woman,  and  brought  her  unto  the  man.  And 
Adam  said,  This  is  now  bone  of  my  bones,  and  flesh 


6  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

of  my  flesh :  she  shall  be  called  Woman,  because 
she  was  taken  out  of  Man.  Therefore  shall  a  man 
leave  his  father  and  his  mother,  and  shall  cleave 
unto  his  wife :  and  they  shall  be  one  flesh.  And 
they  were  both  naked,  the  man  and  his  wife,  and 
were  not  ashamed. 

Now  the  serpent  was  more  subtil  than  any  beast 
of  the  field  which  the  Lord  God  had  made.  And 
he  said  unto  the  woman,  Yea,  hath  God  said,  Ye 
shall  not  eat  of  every  tree  of  the  garden?  And  the 
woman  said  unto  the  serpent,  We  may  eat  of  the 
fruit  of  the  trees  of  the  garden :  but  of  the  fruit 
of  the  tree  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  God 
hafh  said,  Ye  shall  not  eat  of  it,  neither  shall  ye 
touch  it,  lest  ye  die.  And  the  serpent  said  unto  the 
woman,  Ye  shall  not  surely  die :  for  God  doth  know 
that  in  the  clay  ye  eat  thereof,  then  your  eyes  shall 
be  opened,  and  ye  shall  be  as  gods,  knowing  good 
and  evil.  And  when  the  woman  saw  that  the  tree 
was  good  for  food,  and  that  it  was  pleasant  to  the 
eyes,  and  a  tree  to  be  desired  to  make  one  wise, 
she  took  of  the  fruit  thereof,  and  did  eat,  and  gave 
also  unto  her  husband  with  her ;  and  he  did  eat. 
And  the  eyes  of  them  both  were  opened,  and  they 
knew  that  they  were  naked ;  and  they  sewed  fig 
leaves  together,  and  made  themselves  aprons. 

And  they  heard  the  voice  of  the  Lord  God  walk- 
ing in  the  garden  in  the  cool  of  the  day :  and  Adam 
and  his  wife  hid  themselves  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord  God  amongst  the  trees  of  the  garden. 
And  the  Lord  God  called  unto  Adam,  and  said 
unto  him,  Where  art  thou?  And  he  said,  I  heard 
thy  voice  in  the  garden,  and  I  was  afraid,  because 


THE  GARDEN  OP  EDEN  7 

I  was  naked ;  and  I  hid  myself.  And  he  said,  Who 
told  thee  that  thou  wast  naked?  Hast  thou  eaten 
of  the  tree,  whereof  I  commanded  thee  that  thou 
shouldest  not  eat?  And  the  man  said.  The  woman 
whom  thou  gavest  to  be  with  me,  she  gave  me  of 
the  tree,  and  I  did  eat.  And  the  Lord  God  said 
unto  the  woman,  What  is  this  that  thou  hast  done? 
And  the  woman  said,  The  serpent  beguiled  me,  and 
I  did  eat. 

And  the  Lord  God  said  unto  the  serpent,  Be- 
cause thou  hast  done  this,  thou  art  cursed  above  all 
cattle,  and  above  every  beast  of  the  field ;  upon  thy 
belly  shalt  thou  go,  and  dust  shalt  thou  eat  all  the 
days  of  thy  life :  and  I  will  put  enmity  between 
thee  and  the  woman,  and  between  thy  seed  and  her 
seed ;  it  shall  bruise  thy  head,  and  thou  shalt  bruise 
his  heel.  Unto  the  woman  he  said,  I  will  greatly 
multiply  thy  sorrow  and  thy  conception ;  in  sorrow 
thou  shalt  bring  forth  children ;  and  thy  desire  shall 
be  to  thy  husband,  and  he  shall  rule  over  thee. 
And  unto  Adam  he  said,  Because  thou  hast  heark- 
ened unto  the  voice  of  thy  wife,  and  hast  eaten  of 
the  tree,  of  which  I  commanded  thee,  saying,  Thou 
shalt  not  eat  of  it :  cursed  is  the  ground  for  thy  sake ; 
in  sorrow  shalt  thou  eat  of  it  all  the  days  of  thy 
life ;  thorns  also  and  thistles  shall  it  bring  forth  to 
thee;  and  thou  shalt  eat  the  herb  of  the  field;  in 
the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread,  till  thou 
return  unto  the  ground ;  for  out  of  it  wast  thou 
taken :  for  dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  shalt  thou 
return.  And  Adam  called  his  wife's  name  Eve 
[i.e.  "Living"];  because  she  was  the  mother  of 
all  living.  Unto  Adam  also  and  to  his  wife  did 


8  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  Lord  God  make  coats  of  skins,  and  clothed 
them. 

And  the  Lord  God  said,  Behold,  the  man  is 
become  as  one  of  us,  to  know  good  and  evil:  and 
now,  lest  he  put  forth  his  hand,  and  take  also  of 
the  tree  of  life,  and  eat,  and  live  for  ever:  there- 
fore the  Lord  God  sent  him  forth  from  the  garden 
of  Eden,  to  till  the  ground  from  whence  he  was 
taken.  So  he  drove  out  the  man ;  and  he  placed  at 
the  east  of  the  garden  of  Eden  Cherubims,  and  a 
flaming  sword  which  turned  every  way,  to  keep  the 
way  of  the  tree  of  life. 


III. 

Cain  anfc  Bbel, 

Genesis  iv.  1-15. 

AND  Adam  knew  Eve  his  wife ;  and  she  conceived, 
and  bare  Cain,  and  said,  I  have  gotten  a  rnan  from 
the  Lord.  And  she  again  bare  his  brother  Abel. 
And  Abel  was  a  keeper  of  sheep,  but  Cain  was  a 
tiller  of  the  ground.  And  in  process  of  time  it  came 
to  pass,  that  Cain  brought  of  the  fruit  of  the 
ground  an  offering  unto  the  Lord.  And  Abel,  he 
also  brought  of  the  firstlings  of  his  flock  and  of  the 
fat  thereof.  And  the  Lord  had  respect  unto  Abel 
and  to  his  offering:  but  unto  Cain  and  to  his  offer- 
ing he  had  not  respect.  And  Cain  was  very  wroth, 
and  his  countenance  fell.  And  the  Lord  said  unto 
Cain,  Why  art  thou  wroth  ?  and  why  is  thy  counte- 
nance fallen  ?  If  thou  doest  well,  shalt  thou  not  be 


THE  FLOOD  9 

accepted?  and  if  thou  doest  not  well,  sin  lieth  at 
the  door.  And  unto  thee  shall  be  his  desire,  and 
thou  shalt  rule  over  him. 

And  Cain  talked  with  Abel  his  brother :  and  it 
came  to  pass,  when  they  were  in  the  field,  that.  Cain 
rose  up  against  Abel  his  brother,  and  slew  him. 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  Cain,  Where  is  Abel  thy 
brother?  And  he  said,  I  know  not:  am  I  my 
brother's  keeper?  And  he  said,  What  hast  thou 
done?  the  voice  of  thy  brother's  blood  crieth  unto 
me  from  the  ground.  And  now  art  thou  cursed 
from  the  earth,  which  hath  opened  her  mouth  to 
receive  thy  brother's  blood  from  thy  hand ;  when 
thou  tillest  the  ground,  it  shall  not  henceforth  yield 
unto  thee  her  strength ;  a  fugitive  and  a  vagabond 
shalt  thou  be  in  the  earth.  And  Cain  said  unto  the 
Lord,  My  punishment  is  greater  than  I  can  bear. 
Behold,  thou  hast  driven  me  out  this  day  from  the 
face  of  the  earth ;  and  from  thy  face  shall  I  be  hid ; 
and  I  shall  be  a  fugitive  and  a  vagabond  in  the 
earth ;  and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  every  one  that 
findeth  me  shall  slay  me.  And  the  Lord  said  unto 
him,  Therefore  whosoever  slayeth  Cain,  vengeance 
shall  be  taken  on  him  sevenfold.  And  the  Lord  set 
a  mark  upon  Cain,  lest  any  finding  him  should  kill 
him. 

IV. 
<Tbe  ffloofc. 

Genesis  vi.  5 — ix.  17. 

AND  God  saw  that  the  wickedness  of  man  was 
great  in  the  earth,  and  that  every  imagination  of 


io  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  thoughts  of  his  heart  was  only  evil  continually. 
And  it  repented  the  Lord  that  he  had  made  man 
on  the  earth,  and  it  grieved  him  at  his  heart.  And 
the  Lord  said,  I  will  destroy  man  whom  I  have 
created  from  the  face  of  the  earth;  both  man,  and 
beast,  and  the  creeping  thing,  and  the  fowls  of  the 
air;  for  it  repenteth  me  that  I  have  made  them. 
But  Noah  found  grace  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord. 

These  are  the  generations  of  Noah :  Noah  was  a 
just  man  and  perfect  in  his  generations,  and  Noah 
walked  with  God.  And  Noah  begat  three  sons, 
Shem,  Ham,  and  Japheth.  The  earth  also  was  cor- 
rupt before  God,  and  the  earth  was  rilled  with  vio- 
lence. And  God  looked  upon  the  earth,  and,  be- 
hold, it  was  corrupt;  for  all  flesh  had  corrupted 
his  way  upon  the  earth. 

And  God  said  unto  Noah,  The  end  of  all  flesh  is 
come  before  me ;  for  the  earth  is  filled  with  violence 
through  them;  and,  behold,  I  will  destroy  them 
with  the  earth.  Make  thee  an  ark  of  gopher  wood ; 
rooms  shalt  thou  make  in  the  ark,  and  shalt  pitch 
it  within  and  without  with  pitch.  And  this  is  the 
fashion  which  thou  shalt  make  it  of:  the  length  of 
the  ark  shall  be  three  hundred  cubits,  the  breadth 
of  it  fifty  cubits,  and  the  height  of  it  thirty  cubits. 
A  window  shalt  thou  make  to  the  ark,  and  in  a 
cubit  shalt  thou  finish  it  above ;  and  the  door  of  the 
ark  shalt  thou  set  in  the  side  thereof;  with  lower, 
second,  and  third  stories  shalt  thou  make  it.  And, 
behold,  I,  even  I,  do  bring  a  flood  of  waters  upon 
the  earth,  to  destroy  all  flesh,  wherein  is  the  breath 
of  life,  from  under  heaven ;  and  every  thing  that  is 
in  the  earth  shall  die.  But  with  thee  will  I  estab- 


THE  FLOOD  n 

lish  my  covenant ;  and  thou  shalt  come  into  the  ark, 
thou,  and  thy  sons,  and  thy  wife,  and  thy  sons' 
wives  with  thee.  And  of  every  living  thing  of  all 
flesh,  two  of  every  sort  shalt  thou  bring  into  the 
ark,  to  keep  them  alive  with  thee ;  they  shall  be 
male  and  female.  Of  fowls  after  their  kind,  and 
of  cattle  after  their  kind,  of  every  creeping  thing 
of  the  earth  after  his  kind,  two  of  every  sort  shall 
come  unto  thee,  to  keep  them  alive.  And  take  thou 
unto  thee  of  all  food  that  is  eaten,  and  thou  shalt 
gather  it  to  thee ;  and  it  shall  be  for  food  for  thee, 
and  for  them.  Thus  did  Noah;  according  to  all 
that  God  commanded  him,  so  did  he. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Noah,  Come  thou  and 
all  thy  house  into  the  ark;  for  thee  have  I  seen 
righteous  before  me  in  this  generation.  Of  every 
clean  beast  thou  shalt  take  to  thee  by  sevens,  the 
male  and  his  female :  and  of  beasts  that  are  not 
clean  by  two,  the  male  and  his  female.  Of  fowls 
also  of  the  air  by  sevens,  the  male  and  the  female; 
to  keep  seed  alive  upon  the  face  of  all  the  earth. 
For  yet  seven  days,  and  I  will  cause  it  to  rain  upon 
the  earth  forty  days  and  forty  nights;  and  every 
living  substance  that  I  have  made  will  I  destroy 
from  off  the  face  of  the  earth.  And  Noah  did  ac- 
cording unto  all  that  the  Lord  commanded  him. 
And  Noah  was  six  hundred  years  old  when  the 
flood  of  waters  was  upon  the  earth. 

And  Noah  went  in,  and  his  sons,  and  his  wife, 
and  his  sons'  wives  with  him,  into  the  ark,  because 
of  the  waters  of  the  flood.  Of  clean  beasts,  and  of 
beasts  that  are  not  clean,  and  of  fowls,  and  of  every 
thing  that  creepeth  upon  the  earth,  there  went  in 


12  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

two  and  two  unto  Noah  into  the  ark,  the  male  and 
the  female,  as  God  had  commanded  Noah.  And  it 
came  to  pass  after  seven  days,  that  the  waters  of 
the  flood  were  upon  the  earth.  In  the  six  hun- 
dredth year  of  Noah's  life,  in  the  second  month, 
the  seventeenth  day  of  the  month,  the  same  day 
were  all  the  fountains  of  the  great  deep  broken  up, 
and  the  windows  of  heaven  were  opened.  And  the 
rain  was  upon  the  earth  forty  days  and  forty  nights. 
In  the  selfsame  day  entered  Noah,  and  Shem,  and 
Ham,  and  Japheth,  the  sons  of  Noah,  and  Noah's 
wife,  and  the  three  wives  of  his  sons  \vith  them,  into 
the  ark ;  they,  and  every  beast  after  his  kind,  and  all 
the  cattle  after  their  kind,  and  every  creeping  thing 
that  creepeth  upon  the  earth  after  his  kind,  and 
every  fowl  after  his  kind,  every  bird  of  every  sort. 
And  they  went  in  unto  Noah  into  the  ark,  two  and 
two  of  all  flesh,  wherein  is  the  breath  of  life.  And 
they  that  went  in,  went  in  male  and  female  of  all 
flesh,  as  God  had  commanded  him :  and  the  Lord 
shut  him  in. 

And  the  flood  was  forty  days  upon  the  earth ;  and 
the  waters  increased,  and  bare  up  the  ark,  and  it 
was  lift  up  above  the  earth.  And  the  waters  pre- 
vailed, and  were  increased  greatly  upon  the  earth ; 
and  the  ark  went  upon  the  face  of  the  waters.  And 
the  waters  prevailed  exceedingly  upon  the  earth ; 
and  all  the  high  hills,  that  were  under  the  whole 
heaven,  were  covered.  Fifteen  cubits  upward  did 
the  waters  prevail ;  and  the  mountains  were  cov- 
ered. And  all  flesh  died  that  moved  upon  the  earth, 
both  of  fowl,  and  of  cattle,  and  of  beast,  and  of 
every  creeping  thing  that  creepeth  upon  the  earth, 


THE  FLOOD  13 

and  every  man :  all  in  whose  nostrils  was  the 
breath  of  life,  of  all  that  was  in  the  dry  land,  died. 
And  every  living  substance  was  destroyed  which 
was  upon  the  face  of  the  ground,  both  man,  and 
cattle,  and  the  creeping  things,  and  the  fowl  of 
the  heaven ;  and  they  were  destroyed  from  the 
earth:  and  Noah  only  remained  alive,  and  they 
that  were  with  him  in  the  ark.  And  the  waters 
prevailed  upon  the  earth  an  hundred  and  fifty  days. 

And  God  remembered  Noah,  and  every  living 
thing,  and  all  the  cattle  that  was  with  him  in  the 
ark:  and  God  made  a  wind  to  pass  over  the  earth, 
and  the  waters  asswaged ;  the  fountains  also  of  the 
deep  and  the  windows  of  heaven  were  stopped,  and 
the  rain  from  heaven  was  restrained;  and  the 
waters  returned  from  off  the  earth  continually :  and 
after  the  end  of  the  hundred  and  fifty  days  the  wa- 
ters were  abated.  And  the  ark  rested  in  the  seventh 
month,  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  the  month,  upon 
the  mountains  of  Ararat.  And  the  waters  decreased 
continually  until  the  tenth  month :  in  the  tenth 
month,  on  the  first  day  of  the  month,  were  the  tops 
of  the  mountains  seen. 

And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  end  of  forty  days,  that 
Noah  opened  the  window  of  the  ark  which  he  had 
made :  and  he  sent  forth  a  raven,  which  went  forth 
to  and  fro,  until  the  waters  were  dried  up  from  off 
the  earth.  Also  he  sent  forth  a  dove  from  him,  to 
see  if  the  waters  were  abated  from  off  the  face  of 
the  ground ;  but  the  dove  found  no  rest  for  the  sole 
of  her  foot,  and  she  returned  unto  him  into  the 
ark,  for  the  waters  were  on  the  face  of  the  whole 
earth:  then  he  put  forth  his  hand,  and  took  her, 


i4  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  pulled  her  in  unto  him  into  the  ark.  And  he 
stayed  yet  other  seven  days ;  and  again  he  sent  forth 
the  dove  out  of  the  ark ;  and  the  dove  came  in  to 
him  in  the  evening;  and,  lo,  in  her  mouth  was  an 
olive  leaf  pluckt  off:  so  Noah  knew  that  the 
waters  wrere  abated  from  off  the  earth.  And  he 
stayed  yet  other  seven  days ;  and  sent  forth  the 
dove ;  which  returned  not  again  unto  him  any  more. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  six  hundredth  and 
first  year,  in  the  first  month,  the  first  day  of  the 
month,  the  waters  were  dried  up  from  off  the  earth : 
and  Noah  removed  the  covering  of  the  ark,  and 
looked,  and,  behold,  the  face  of  the  ground  was  dry. 
And  in  the  second  month,  on  the  seven  and  twen- 
tieth day  of  the  month,  was  the  earth  dried.  And 
God  spake  unto  Noah,  saying,  Go  forth  of  the  ark, 
thou,  and  thy  wife,  and  thy  sons,  and  thy  sons' 
wives  with  thee.  Bring  forth  with  thee  every  living 
thing  that  is  with  thee,  of  all  flesh,  both  of  fowl, 
and  of  cattle,  and  of  every  creeping  thing  that 
creepeth  upon  the  earth ;  that  they  may  breed 
abundantly  in  the  earth,  and  be  fruitful,  and  multi- 
ply upon  the  earth.  And  Noah  went  forth,  and  his 
sons,  and  his  wife,  and  his  sons'  wives  with  him : 
every  beast,  every  creeping  thing,  and  every  fowl, 
and  whatsoever  creepeth  upon  the  earth,  after  their 
kinds,  went  forth  out  of  the  ark. 

And  Noah  builded  an  altar  unto  the  Lord;  and 
took  of  every  clean  beast,  and  of  every  clean  fowl, 
and  offered  burnt  offerings  on  the  altar.  And  the 
Lord  smelled  a  sweet  savour;  and  the  Lord  said  in 
his  heart,  I  will  not  again  curse  the  ground  any 
more  for  man's  sake ;  for  the  imagination  of  man's 


THE  FLOOD  15 

heart  is  evil  from  his  youth;  neither  will  I  again 
smite  any  more  every  thing  living,  as  I  have  done. 
While  the  earth  remaineth,  seedtime  and  harvest, 
and  cold  and  heat,  and  summer  and  winter,  and  day 
and  night  shall  not  cease. 

And  God  blessed  Noah  and  his  sons,  and  said 
unto  them,  Be  fruitful,  and  multiply,  and  replenish 
the  earth.  And  the  fear  of  you  and  the  dread  of 
you  shall  be  upon  every  beast  of  the  earth,  and 
upon  every  fowl  of  the  air,  upon  all  that  moveth 
upon  the  earth,  and  upon  all  the  fishes  of  the  sea; 
into  your  hand  are  they  delivered.  Every  moving 
thing  that  liveth  shall  be  meat  for  you ;  even  as  the 
green  herb  have  I  given  you  all  things.  But  flesh 
with  the  life  thereof,  which  is  the  blood  thereof, 
shall  ye  not  eat.  And  surely  your  blood  of  your 
lives  will  I  require ;  at  the  hand  of  every  beast  will 
I  require  it,  and  at  the  hand  of  man;  at  the  hand 
of  every  man's  brother  will  I  require  the  life  of 
man.  Whoso  sheddeth  man's  blood,  by  man  shall 
his  blood  be  shed :  for  in  the  image  of  God  made 
he  man.  And  you,  be  ye  fruitful,  and  multiply; 
bring  forth  abundantly  in  the  earth,  and  multiply 
therein. 

And  God  spake  unto  Noah,  and  to  his  sons  with 
him,  saying,  And  I,  behold,  I  establish  my  covenant 
with  you,  and  with  your  seed  after  you ;  and  with 
every  living  creature  that  is  with  you,  of  the  fowl, 
of  the  cattle,  and  of  every  beast  of  the  earth  with 
you ;  from  all  that  go  out  of  the  ark,  to  every  beast 
of  the  earth.  And  I  will  establish  my  covenant 
with  you ;  neither  shall  all  flesh  be  cut  of!  any  more 
by  the  waters  of  a  flood;  neither  shall  there  any 


16  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

more  be  a  flood  to  destroy  the  earth.  And  God 
said,  This  is  the  token  of  the  covenant  which  I  make 
between  me  and  you  and  every  living  creature  that 
is  with  you,  for  perpetual  generations :  I  do  set  my 
bow  in  the  cloud,  and  it  shall  be  for  a  token  of  a 
covenant  between  me  and  the  earth.  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass,  when  I  bring  a  cloud  over  the  earth, 
that  the  bow  shall  be  seen  in  the  cloud :  and  I  will 
remember  my  covenant,  which  is  between  me  and 
you  and  every  living  creature  of  all  flesh ;  and  the 
waters  shall  no  more  become  a  flood  to  destroy  all 
flesh.  And  the  bow  shall  be  in  the  cloud ;  and  I 
will  look  upon  it,  that  I  may  remember  the  ever- 
lasting covenant  between  God  and  every  living 
creature  of  all  flesh  that  is  upon  the  earth.  And 
God  said  unto  Noah,  This  is  the  token  of  the  cove- 
nant, which  I  have  established  between  me  and  all 
flesh  that  is  upon  the  earth. 


V. 
tlbe  Govvet  of  JSabel. 

Genesis  xi.  1-9. 

AND  the  whole  earth  was  of  one  language,  and  of 
one  speech.  And  it  came  to  pass,  as  they  journeyed 
from  the  east,  that  they  found  a  plain  in  the  land 
of  Shinar ;  and  they  dwelt  there.  And  they  said 
one  to  another.  Go  to,  let  us  make  brick,  and  burn 
them  throughly.  And  they  had  brick  for  stone, 
and  slime  had  they  for  morter.  And  they  said,  Go 
to,  let  us  build  us  a  city  and  a  tower,  whose  top 


ABRAHAM*  17 

may  reach  unto  heaven ;  and  let  us  make  us  a  name, 
lest  we  be  scattered  abroad  upon  the  face  of  the 
whole  earth.  And  the  Lord  came  down  to  see  the 
city  and  the  tower,  which  the  children  of  men 
builded.  And  the  Lord  said,  Behold,  the  people  is 
one,  and  they  have  all  one  language ;  and  this  they 
begin  to  do:  and  now  nothing  will  be  restrained 
from  them,  which  they  have  imagined  to  do.  Go 
to,  let  us  go  down,  and  there  confound  their  lan- 
guage, that  they  may  not  understand  one  another's 
speech.  So  the  Lord  scattered  them  abroad  from 
thence  upon  the  face  of  all  the  earth :  and  they  left 
off  to  build  the  city.  Therefore  is  the  name  of  it 
called  Babel ;  because  the  Lord  did  there  confound 
the  language  of  all  the  earth :  and  from  thence  did 
the  Lord  scatter  them  abroad  upon  the  face  of  all 

the  earth. 
i 

VI. 

Bbrabam, 

(a)  THE  CALL  OF  ABRAHAM. 
Genesis  xii.  1-7. 

Now  the  Lord  had  said  unto  Abram,  Get  thee  out 
of  thy  country,  and  from  thy  kindred,  and  from 
thy  father's  house,  unto  a  land  that  I  will  shew 
thee :  and  I  will  make  of  thee  a  great  nation,  and 
I  will  bless  thee,  and  make  thy  name  great;  and 
thou  shalt  be  a  blessing:  and  I  will  bless  them  that 
bless  thee,  and  curse  him  that  curseth  thee :  and  in 
thee  shall  all  families  of  the  earth  be  blessed.  So 
Abram  departed,  as  the  Lord  had  spoken  unto  him ; 


1 8  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  Lot  went  with  him :  and  Abram  was  seventy 
and  five  years  old  when  he  departed  out  of  Haran. 
And  Abram  took  Sarai  his  wife,  and  Lot  his 
brother's  son,  and  all  their  substance  that  they  had 
gathered,  and  the  souls  that  they  had  gotten  in 
Haran;  and  they  went  forth  to  go  into  the  land  of 
Canaan;  and  into  the  land  of  Canaan  they  came. 

And  Abram  passed  through  the  land  unto  the 
place  of  Sichem,  unto  the  plain  of  Moreh.  And 
the  Canaanite  was  then  in  the  land.  And  the  Lord 
appeared  unto  Abram,  and  said,  Unto  thy  seed  will 
I  give  this  land :  and  there  builded  he  an  altar  unto 
the  Lord,  who  appeared  unto  him. 

(b)  THE  COVENANT  WITH  ABRAHAM. 

Genesis  xvii.  r-8. 

AND  when  Abram  was  ninety  years  old  and  nine, 
the  Lord  appeared  to  Abram,  and  said  unto  him, 
I  am  the  Almighty  God ;  walk  before  me,  and  be 
thou  perfect.  And  I  will  make  my  covenant  be- 
tween me  and  thee,  and  will  multiply  thee  exceed- 
ingly. And  Abram  fell  on  his  face :  and  God  talked 
with  him,  saying,  As  for  me,  behold,  my  covenant 
is  with  thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  a  father  of  many  na- 
tions. Neither  shall  thy  name  any  more  be  called 
Abram,  but  thy  name  shall  be  Abraham  [i.e. 
'  Father  of  a  great  multitude  "] ;  for  a  father  of 
many  nations  have  I  made  thee.  And  I  will  make 
thee  exceeding  fruitful,  and  I  will  make  nations  of 
thee,  and  kings  shall  come  out  of  thee.  And  I  will 
establish  my  covenant  between  me  and  thee  and  thy 
seed  after  thee  in  their  generations  for  an  everlast- 


DESTRUCTION  OF  SODOM  AND  GOMORRAH     19 

» 

ing  covenant,  to  be  a  God  unto  thee,  and  to  thy  seed 
after  thee.  And  I  will  give  unto  thee,  and  to  thy 
seed  after  thee,  the  land  wherein  thou  art  a  stranger, 
all  the  land  of  Canaan,  for  an  everlasting  posses- 
sion ;  and  I  will  be  their  God. 


VII. 
^Destruction  of  SoDom  anD  Gomorrab. 

Genesis  xviii.  16-33  ;  xix.  12-29. 

AND  the  men  [three  angels  whom  Abraham  had 
entertained  unawares]  rose  up  from  thence,  and 
looked  toward  Sodom :  and  Abraham  went  with 
them  to  bring  them  on  the  way.  And  the  Lord  said, 
Shall  I  hide  from  Abraham  that  thing  which  I  do ; 
seeing  that  Abraham  shall  surely  become  a  great  and 
mighty  nation,  and  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  shall 
be  blessed  in  him?  For  I  know  him,  that  he  will 
command  his  children  and  his  household  after  him, 
and  they  shall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord,  to  do  justice 
and  judgment ;  that  the  Lord  may  bring  upon  Abra- 
ham that  which  he  hath  spoken  of  him.  And  the 
Lord  said,  Because  the  cry  of  Sodom  and  Gomor- 
rah is  great,  and  because  their  sin  is  very  grievous ; 
I  will  go  down  now,  and  see  whether  they  have 
done  altogether  according  to  the  cry  of  it,  which  is 
come  unto  me ;  and  if  not,  I  will  know.  And  the 
men  turned  their  faces  from  thence,  and  went  to- 
ward Sodom :  but  Abraham  stood  yet  before  the 
Lord. 

And   Abraham   drew  near,  and   said,   Wilt  thou 


20  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

also  destroy  the  righteous  with  the  wicked?  Per- 
adventure  there  be  fifty  righteous  within  the  city: 
wilt  thou  also  destroy  and  not  spare  the  place  for 
the  fifty  righteous  that  are  therein?  That  be  far 
from  thee  to  do  after  this  manner,  to  slay  the  right- 
eous with  the  wicked :  and  that  the  righteous  should 
be  as  the  wicked,  that  be  far  from  thee :  shall  not 
the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  do  right?  And  the  Lord 
said,  If  I  find  in  Sodom  fifty  righteous  within  the 
city,  then  I  will  spare  all  the  place  for  their  sakes. 
And  Abraham  answered  and  said,  Behold  now,  I 
have  taken  upon  me  to  speak  unto  the  Lord,  which 
am  but  dust  and  ashes :  peradventure  there  shall 
lack  five  of  the  fifty  righteous :  wilt  thou  destroy 
all  the  city  for  lack  of  five?  And  he  said,  If  I  find 
there  forty  and  five,  I  will  not  destroy  it.  And  he 
spake  unto  him  yet  again,  and  said,  Peradventure 
there  shall  be  forty  found  there.  And  he  said,  I 
will  not  do  it  for  forty's  sake.  And  he  said  unto 
him,  Oh  let  not  the  Lord  be  angry,  and  I  will  speak : 
peradventure  there  shall  thirty  be  found  there. 
And  he  said,  I  will  not  do  it,  if  I  find  thirty  there. 
And  he  said,  Behold  now,  I  have  taken  upon  me 
to  speak  unto  the  Lord:  peradventure  there  shall 
be  twenty  found  there.  And  he  said,  I  will  not  de- 
stroy it  for  twenty's  sake.  And  he  said,  Oh  let  not 
the  Lord  be  angry,  and  I  will  speak  yet  but  this 
once :  peradventure  ten  shall  be  found  there.  And 
he  said,  I  will  not  destroy  it  for  ten's  sake.  And 
the  Lord  went  his  way,  as  soon  as  he  had  left  com- 
muning with  Abraham:  and  Abraham  returned 
unto  his  place. 


DESTRUCTION  OF  SODOM  AND  GOMORRAH     21 

And  the  men  [two  angels  who  had  visited  Lot] 
said  unto  Lot,  Hast  thou  here  any  besides?  son  in 
law,  and  thy  sons,  and  thy  daughters,  and  whatso- 
ever thou  hast  in  the  city,  bring  them  out  of  this 
place :  for  we  will  destroy  this  place,  because  the  cry 
of  them  is  waxen  great  before  the  face  of  the  Lord; 
and  the  Lord  hath  sent  us  to  destroy  it.  And  Lot 
went  out,  and  spake  unto  his  sons  in  law,  which 
married  his  daughters,  and  said,  Up,  get  you  out 
of  this  place ;  for  the  Lord  will  destroy  this  city. 
But  he  seemed  as  one  that  mocked  unto  his  sons 
in  law. 

And  when  the  morning  arose,  then  the  angels 
hastened  Lot,  saying,  Arise,  take  thy  wife,  and  thy 
two  daughters,  which  are  here ;  lest  thou  be  con- 
sumed in  the  iniquity  of  the  city.  And  while  he 
lingered,  the  men  laid  hold  upon  his  hand,  and  upon 
the  hand  of  his  wife,  and  upon  the  hand  of  his  two 
daughters ;  the  Lord  being  merciful  unto  him :  and 
they  brought  him  forth,  and  set  him  without  the 
city.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  they  had  brought 
them  forth  abroad,  that  he  said,  Escape  for  thy 
life;  look  not  behind  thee,  neither  stay  thou  in  all 
the  plain ;  escape  to  the  mountain,  lest  thou  be  con- 
sumed. And  Lot  said  unto  them,  Oh,  not  so,  my 
Lord :  behold  now,  thy  servant  hath  found  grace  in 
thy  sight,  and  thou  hast  magnified  thy  mercy, 
which  thou  hast  shewed  unto  me  in  saving  my  life ; 
and  I  cannot  escape  to  the  mountain,  lest  some  evil 
take  me,,  and  I  die :  behold  now,  this  city  is  near 
to  flee  unto,  and  it  is  a  little  one :  Oh,  let  me  escape 
thither,  (is  it  not  a  little  one?)  and  my  soul  shall 
live.  And  he  said  unto  him,  See,  I  have  accepted 


22  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

thee  concerning  this  thing  also,  that' I  will  not  over- 
throw this  city,  for  the  which  thou  hast  spoken. 
Haste  thee,  escape  thither ;  for  I  cannot  do  any 
thing  till  thou  be  come  thither.  Therefore  the  name 
of  the  city  was  called  Zoar  [i.e.  "  Little  "]. 

The  sun  was  risen  upon  the  earth  when  Lot 
entered  into  Zoar.  Then  the  Lord  rained  upon 
Sodom  and  upon  Gomorrah  brimstone  and  fire  from 
the  Lord  out  of  heaven;  and  he  overthrew  those 
cities,  and  all  the  plain,  and  all  the  inhabitants  of 
the  cities,  and  that  which  grew  upon  the  ground. 
But  his  wife  looked  back  from  behind  him,  and  she 
became  a  pillar  of  salt.  And  Abraham  gat  up  early 
in  the  morning  to  the  place  where  he  stood  before 
the  Lord :  and  he  looked  toward  Sodom  and  Go- 
morrah, and  toward  all  the  land  of  the  plain,  and 
beheld,  and,  lo,  the  smoke  of  the  country  went  up 
as  the  smoke  of  a  furnace. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  God  destroyed  the 
cities  of  the  plain,  that  God  remembered  Abraham, 
and  sent  Lot  out  of  the  midst  of  the  overthrow, 
when  he  overthrew  the  cities  in  the  which  Lot 
dwelt. 

VIII. 
ZTbe  Sacrifice  of  Iteaac. 

Genesis  xxii.  1-19. 

AND  it  came  to  pass  after  these  things,  that  God 
did  tempt  Abraham,  and  said  unto  him,  Abraham : 
and  he  said,  Behold,  here  I  am.  And  he  said,  Take 
now  thy  son,  thine  only  son  Isaac,  whom  thou 


THE  SACRIFICE  OF  ISAAC  23 

lovest,  and  get  thee  into  the  land  of  Moriah;  and 
offer  him  there  for  a  burnt  offering  upon  one  of  the 
mountains  which  I  will  tell  thee  of. 

And  Abraham  rose  up  early  in  the  morning,  and 
saddled  his  ass,  and  took  two  of  his  young  men 
with  him,  and  Isaac  his  son,  and  clave  the  wood  for 
the  burnt  offering,  and  rose  up,  and  went  unto  the 
place  of  which  God  had  told  him.  Then  on  the 
third  day  Abraham  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  saw  the 
place  afar  off.  And  Abraham  said  unto  his  young 
men,  Abide  ye  here  with  the  ass ;  and  I  and  the  lad 
will  go  yonder  and  worship,  and  come  again  to  you. 
And  Abraham  took  the  wood  of  the  burnt  offering, 
and  laid  it  upon  Isaac  his  son ;  and  he  took  the  fire 
in  his  hand,  and  a  knife ;  and  they  went  both  of 
them  together.  And  Isaac  spake  unto  Abraham  his 
father,  and  said,  My  father :  and  he  said,  Here  am 
I,  my  son.  And  he  said,  Behold  the  fire  and  the 
wood:  but  where  is  the  lamb  for  a  burnt  offering? 
And  Abraham  said,  My  son,  God  will  provide  him- 
self a  lamb  for  a  burnt  offering :  so  they  went  both 
of  them  together. 

And  they  came  to  the  place  which  God  had  told 
him  of;  and  Abraham  built  an  altar  there,  and  laid 
the  wood  in  order,  and  bound  Isaac  his  son,  and 
laid  him  on  the  altar  upon  the  wood.  And  Abra- 
ham stretched  forth  his  hand,  and  took  the  knife 
to  slay  his  son.  And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  called 
unto  him  out  of  heaven,  and  said,  Abraham,  Abra- 
ham :  and  he  said,  Here  am  I.  And  he  said,  Lay 
not  thine  hand  upon  the  lad,  neither  do  thou  any 
thing  unto  him :  for  now  I  know  that  thou  fearest 
God,  seeing  thou  hast  not  withheld  thy  son,  thine 


24  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

only  son  from  me.  And  Abraham  lifted  up  his 
eyes,  and  looked,  and  behold  behind  him  a  ram 
caught  in  a  thicket  by  his  horns  :  and  Abraham  went 
and  took  the  ram,  and  offered  him  up  for  a  burnt 
offering  in  the  stead  of  his  son.  And  Abraham 
called  the  name  of  that  place  Jehovah-jireh  [i.e. 
"  The  Lord  will  see,  or  provide  "]  :  as  it  is  said  to 
this  day,  In  the  mount  of  the  Lord  it  shall  be  seen. 
And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  called  unto  Abraham 
out  of  heaven  the  second  time,  and  said,  By  myself 
have  I  sworn,  saith  the  Lord,  for  because  thou  hast 
done  this  thing,  and  hast  not  withheld  thy  son,  thine 
only  son :  that  in  blessing  I  will  bless  thee,  and  in 
multiplying  I  will  multiply  thy  seed  as  the  stars 
of  the  heaven,  and  as  the  sand  which  is  upon  the 
sea  shore ;  and  thy  seed  shall  possess  the  gate  of 
his  enemies;  and  in  thy  seed  shall  all  the  nations 
of  the  earth  be  blessed ;  because  thou  hast  obeyed 
my  voice.  So  Abraham  returned  unto  the  young 
men,  and  they  rose  up  and  went  together  to  Beer- 
sheba ;  and  Abraham  dwelt  at  Beer-sheba. 


IX. 

Wooing  of  IRebefcab. 

Genesis  xxiv. 

AND  Abraham  was  old,  and  well  stricken  in  age: 
and  the  Lord  had  blessed  Abraham  in  all  things. 
And  Abraham  said  unto  his  eldest  servant  of  his 
house,  that  ruled  over  all  that  he  had,  Put,  I  pray 
thee,  thy  hand  under  my  thigh:  and  I  will  make 


THE  WOOING  OF  REBEKAH  25 

thee  swear  by  the  Lord,  the  God  of  heaven,  and  the 
God  of  the  earth,  that  thou  shalt  not  take  a  wife 
unto  my  son  of  the  daughters  of  the  Canaanites, 
among  whom  I  dwell :  but  thou  shalt  go  unto  my 
country,  and  to  my  kindred,  and  take  a  wife  unto 
my  son  Isaac.  And  the  servant  said  unto  him,  Per- 
adventure  the  woman  will  not  be  willing  to  follow 
me  unto  this  land:  must  I  needs  bring  thy  son 
again  unto  the  land  from  whence  thou  earnest  ?  And 
Abraham  said  unto  him,  Beware  thou  that  thou 
bring  not  my  son  thither  again.  The  Lord  God  of 
heaven,  which  took  me  from  my  father's  house,  and 
from  the  land  of  my  kindred,  and  which  spake  unto 
me,  and  that  sware  unto  me,  saying,  Unto  thy  seed 
will  I  give  this  land ;  he  shall  send  his  angel  before 
thee,  and  thou  shalt  take  a  wife  unto  my  son  from 
thence.  And  if  the  woman  will  not  be  willing  to 
follow  thee,  then  thou  shalt  be  clear  from  this  my 
oath :  only  bring  not  my  son  thither  again.  And 
the  servant  put  his  hand  under  the  thigh  of  Abra- 
ham his  master,  and  sware  to  him  concerning  that 
matter. 

And  the  servant  took  ten  camels  of  the  camels  of 
his  master,  and  departed ;  for  all  the  goods  of  his 
master  were  in  his  hand :  and  he  arose,  and  went  to 
Mesopotamia,  unto  the  city  of  Nahor.  And  he 
made  his  camels  to  kneel  down  without  the  city  by 
a  well  of  water  at  the  time  of  the  evening,  even  the 
time  that  women  go  out  to  draw  water.  And  he 
said,  O  Lord  God  of  my  master  Abraham,  I  pray 
thee,  send  me  good  speed  this  day,  and  shew  kind- 
ness unto  my  master  Abraham.  Behold,  I  stand 
here  by  the  well  of  water;  and  the  daughters  of  the 


26  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

men  of  the  city  come  out  to  draw  water :  and  let  it 
come  to  pass,  that  the  damsel  to  whom  I  shall  say, 
Let  down  thy  pitcher,  I  pray  thee,  that  I  may  drink ; 
and  she  shall  say,  Drink,  and  I  will  give  thy  camels 
drink  also:  let  the  same  be  she  that  thou  hast  ap- 
pointed for  thy  servant  Isaac;  and  thereby  shall  I 
know  that  thou  hast  shewed  kindness  unto  my 
master. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  before  he  had  done  speak- 
ing, that,  behold,  Rebekah  came  out,  who  was  born 
to  Bethuel,  son  of  Milcah,  the  wife  of  Nahor,  Abra- 
ham's brother,  with  her  pitcher  upon  her  shoulder. 
And  the  damsel  was  very  fair  to  look  upon,  a  virgin, 
neither  had  any  man  known  her :  and  she  went 
down  to  the  well,  and  filled  her  pitcher,  and  came 
up.  And  the  servant  ran  to  meet  her,  and  said,  Let 
me,  I  pray  thee,  drink  a  little  water  of  thy  pitcher. 
And  she  said,  Drink,  my  lord :  and  she  hasted,  and 
let  down  her  pitcher  upon  her  hand,  and  gave  him 
drink.  And  when  she  had  done  giving  him  drink, 
she  said,  I  will  draw  water  for  thy  camels  also, 
until  they  have  done  drinking.  And  she  hasted, 
and  emptied  her  pitcher  into  the  trough,  and  ran 
again  unto  the  well  to  draw  water,  and  drew  for  all 
his  camels.  And  the  man  wondering  at  her  held 
his  peace,  to  wit  whether  the  Lord  had  made  his 
journey  prosperous  or  not.  And  it  came  to  pass, 
as  the  camels  had  done  drinking,  that  the  man  took 
a  golden  earring  of  half  a  shekel  weight,  and  two 
bracelets  for  her  hands  of  ten  shekels  weight  of 
gold;  and  said,  Whose  daughter  art  thou?  tell  me, 
I  pray  thee :  is  there  room  in  thy  father's  house  for 
us  to  lodge  in?  And  she  said  unto  him,  I  am  the 


THE  WOOING  OF  REBEKAH  27 

daughter  of  Bethuel  the  son  of  Milcah,  which  she 
bare  unto  Nahor.  She  said  moreover  unto  him, 
We  have  both  straw  and  provender  enough,  and 
room  to  lodge  in.  And  the  man  bowed  down  his 
head,  and  worshipped  the  Lord.  And  he  said, 
Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  my  master  Abraham, 
who  hath  not  left  destitute  my  master  of  his  mercy 
and  his  truth :  I  being  in  the  way,  the  Lord  led  me 
to  the  house  of  my  master's  brethren.  And  the 
damsel  ran,  and  told  them  of  her  mother's  house 
these  things. 

And  Rebekah  had  a  brother,  and  his  name 
was  Laban :  and  Laban  ran  out  unto  the  man, 
unto  the  well.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  he  saw 
the  earring  and  bracelets  upon  his  sister's  hands, 
and  when  he  heard  the  words  of  Rebekah  his  sister, 
saying,  Thus  spake  the  man  unto  me ;  that  he 
came  unto  the  man ;  and,  behold,  he  stood  by  the 
camels  at  the  well.  And  he  said,  Come  in,  thou 
blessed  of  the  Lord;  wherefore  standest  thou  with- 
out? for  I  have  prepared  the  house,  and  room  for 
the  camels.  And  the  man  came  into  the  house : 
and  he  ungirded  his  camels,  and  gave  straw  and 
provender  for  the  camels,  and  water  to  wash  his 
feet,  and  the  men's  feet  that  were  with  him.  And 
there  was  set  meat  before  him  to  eat :  but  he  said, 
I  will  not  eat,  until  I  have  told  mine  errand.  And 
he  said,  Speak  on. 

And  he  said,  I  am  Abraham's  servant.  And  the 
Lord  hath  blessed  my  master  greatly ;  and  he  is  be- 
come great :  and  he  hath  given  him  flocks,  and 
herds,  and  silver,  and  gold,  and  menservants,  and 
maidservants,  and  camels,  and  asses.  And  Sarah 


28  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

my  master's  wife  bare  a  son  to  my  master  when 
she  was  old :  and  unto  him  hath  he  given  all  that 
he  hath.  And  my  master  made  me  swear,  saying, 
Thou  shalt  not  take  a  wife  to  my  son  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  Canaanites,  in  whose  land  I  dwell :  but 
thou  shalt  go  unto  my  father's  house,  and  to  my 
kindred,  and  take  a  wife  unto  my  son.  And  I  said 
unto  my  master,  Peradventure  the  woman  will  not 
follow  me.  And  he  said  unto  me,  The  Lord,  before 
whom  I  walk,  will  send  his  angel  with  thee,  and 
prosper  thy  way ;  and  thou  shalt  take  a  wife  for  my 
son  of  my  kindred,  and  of  my  father's  house:  then 
shalt  thou  be  clear  from  this  my  oath,  when  thou 
comest  to  my  kindred;  and  if  they  give  not  thee 
one,  thou  shalt  be  clear  from  my  oath.  And  I  came 
this  day  unto  the  well,  and  said,  O  Lord  God  of  my 
master  Abraham,  if  now  thou  do  prosper  my  way 
which  I  go :  behold,  I  stand  by  the  well  of  water ; 
and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  when  the  virgin 
cometh  forth  to  draw  water,  and  I  say  to  her,  Give 
me,  I  pray  thee,  a  little  water  of  thy  pitcher  to 
drink;  and  she  say  to  me,  Both  drink  thou,  and 
I  will  also  draw  for  thy  camels :  let  the  same  be 
the  woman  whom  the  Lord  hath  appointed  out  for 
my  master's  son.  And  before  I  had  done  speak- 
ing in  mine  heart,  behold,  Rebekah  came  forth  with 
her  pitcher  on  her  shoulder ;  and  she  went  down 
unto  the  well,  and  drew  water:  and  I  said  unto 
her,  Let  me  drink,  I  pray  thee.  And  she  made 
haste,  and  let  down  her  pitcher  from  her  shoulder, 
and  said,  Drink,  and  I  will  give  thy  camels  drink 
also :  so  I  drank,  and  she  made  the  camels  drink 
also.  And  I  asked  her,  and  said,  Whose  daughter 


THE  WOOING  OF  REBEKAH  29 

art  them?  And  she  said,  The  daughter  of  Bethuel, 
Nahor  s  son,  whom  Milcah  bare  unto  him :  and  I 
put  the  earring  upon  her  face,  and  the  bracelets 
upon  her  hands.  And  I  bowed  down  my  head,  and 
worshipped  the  Lord,  and  blessed  the  Lord  God 
of  my  master  Abraham,  which  had  led  me  in  the 
right  way  to  take  my  master's  brother's  daughter 
unto  his  son.  And  now  if  you  will  deal  kindly  and 
truly  with  my  master,  tell  me :  and  if  not,  tell  me ; 
that  I  may  turn  to  the  right  hand,  or  to  the  left. 

Then  Laban  and  Bethuel  answered  and  said,  The 
thing  proceedeth  from  the  Lord :  we  cannot  speak 
unto  thee  bad  or  good.  Behold,  Rebekah  is  before 
thee,  take  her,  and  go,  and  let  her  be  thy  master's 
son's  wife,  as  the  Lord  hath  spoken.  And  it  came 
to  pass,  that,  when  Abraham's  servant  heard  their 
words,  he  worshipped  the  Lord,  bowing  himself  to 
the  earth.  And  the  servant  brought  forth  jewels  of 
silver,  and  jewels  of  gold,  and  raiment,  and  gave 
them  to  Rebekah :  he  gave  also  to  her  brother  and 
to  her  mother  precious  things. 

And  they  did  eat  and  drink,  he  and  the  men  that 
were  with  him,  and  tarried  all  night ;  and  they  rose 
up  in  the  morning,  and  he  said,  Send  me  away  unto 
my  master.  And  her  brother  and  her  mother  said, 
Let  the  damsel  abide  with  us  a  few  days,  at  the 
least  ten ;  after  that  she  shall  go.  And  he  said  un- 
to them,  Hinder  me  not,  seeing  the  Lord  hath 
prospered  my  way ;  send  me  away  that  I  may  go  to 
my  master.  And  they  said,  We  will  call  the  damsel, 
and  enquire  at  her  mouth.  And  they  called  Re- 
bekah, and  said  unto  her,  Wilt  thou  go  with  this 
man?  And  she  said,  I  will  go.  And  they  sent  away 


3o  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Rebekah  their  sister,  and  her  nurse,  and  Abraham's 
servant,  and  his  men.  And  they  blessed  Rebekah, 
and  said  unto  her,  Thou  art  our  sister,  be  thou  the 
mother  of  thousands  of  millions,  and  let  thy  seed 
possess  the  gate  of  those  which  hate  them. 

And  Rebekah  arose  and  her  damsels,  and  they 
rode  upon  the  camels,  and  followed  the  man :  and 
the  servant  took  Rebekah,  and  went  his  way.  And 
Isaac  came  from  the  way  of  the  well  Lahai-roi ;  for 
he  dwelt  in  the  south  country.  And  Isaac  went 
out  to  meditate  in  the  field  at  the  eventide :  and  he 
lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  saw,  and,  behold,  the  camels 
were  coming.  And  Rebekah  lifted  up  her  eyes,  and 
when  she  saw  Isaac,  she  lighted  off  the  camel.  For 
she  had  said  unto  the  servant,  What  man  is  this 
that  walketh  in  the  field  to  meet  us  ?  And  the  serv- 
ant had  said,  It  is  my  master :  therefore  she  took  a 
vail,  and  covered  herself.  And  the  servant  told 
Isaac  all  things  that  he  had  done.  And  Isaac 
brought  her  into  his  mother  Sarah's  tent,  and  took 
Rebekah,  and  she  became  his  wife ;  and  he  loved 
her :  and  Isaac  was  comforted  after  his  mother's 
death. 

X. 

JEsau  anD  $acob. 

Genesis  xxv.  27-34  ;  xxvii. — xxviii.  5  ;  xxviii.  10 — xxix.  30  ; 

xxxii. — xxxiii.  17. 

AND  the  boys  grew :  and  Esau  was  a  cunning 
hunter,  a  man  of  the  field ;  and  Jacob  was  a  plain 
man,  dwelling  in  tents.  And  Isaac  loved  Esau,  be- 
cause he  did  eat  of  his  venison :  but  Rebekah  loved 


ESAU  AND  JACOB  31 

Jacob.  And  Jacob  sod  pottage :  and  Esau  came 
from  the  field,  and  he  was  faint :  and  Esau  said  to 
Jacob,  Feed  me,  I  pray  thee,  with  that  same  red 
pottage ;  for  I  am  faint :  therefore  was  his  name 
called  Edom  [i.e.  "Red"].  And  Jacob  said,  Sell 
me  this  day  thy  birthright.  And  Esau  said,  Behold, 
I  am  at  the  point  to  die :  and  what  profit  shall  this 
birthright  do  to  me  ?  And  Jacob  said,  Swear  to  me 
this  day ;  and  he  sware  unto  him :  and  he  sold  his 
birthright  unto  Jacob.  Then  Jacob  gave  Esau  bread 
and  pottage  of  lentiles ;  and  he  did  eat  and  drink, 
and  rose  up,  and  went  his  way.  Thus  Esau  despised 
his  birthright. 

.  •  •  •  • 

And  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  Isaac  was  old,  and 
his  eyes  were  dim,  so  that  he  could  not  see,  he 
called  Esau  his  eldest  son,  and  said  unto  him,  My 
son :  and  he  said  unto  him,  Behold,  here  am  I. 
And  he  said,  Behold  now,  I  am  old,  I  know  not  the 
day  of  my  death :  now  therefore  take,  I  pray  thee, 
thy  weapons,  thy  quiver  and  thy  bow,  and  go  out 
to  the  field,  and  take  me  some  venison;  and  make 
me  savoury  meat,  such  as  I  love,  and  bring  it  to 
me,  that  I  may  eat ;  that  my  soul  may  bless  thee 
before  I  die. 

And  Rebekah  heard  when  Isaac  spake  to  Esau 
his  son.  And  Esau  went  to  the  field  to  hunt  for 
venison,  and  to  bring  it.  And  Rebekah  spake  unto 
Jacob  her  son,  saying,  Behold,  I  heard  thy  father 
speak  unto  Esau  thy  brother,  saying,  Bring  me 
venison,  and  make  me  savoury  meat,  that  I  may 
eat,  and  bless  thee  before  the  Lord  before  my  death. 
Now  therefore,  my  son,  obey  my  voice  according 


32  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

to  that  which  I  command  thee.  Go  now  to  the 
flock,  and  fetch  me  from  thence  two  good  kids  of 
the  goats ;  and  I  will  make  them  savoury  meat  for 
thy  father,  such  as  he  loveth :  and  thou  shalt  bring 
it  to  thy  father,  that  he  may  eat,  and  that  he  may 
bless  thee  before  his  death.  And  Jacob  said  to 
Rebekah  his  mother,  Behold,  Esau  my  brother  is 
a  hairy  man,  and  I  am  a  smooth  man :  my  father 
peradventure  will  feel  me,  and  I  shall  seem  to  him 
as  a  deceiver ;  and  I  shall  bring  a  curse  upon  me, 
and  not  a  blessing.  And  his  mother  said  unto  him, 
Upon  me  be  thy  curse,  my  son :  only  obey  my  voice, 
and  go  fetch  me  them.  And  he  went,  and  fetched, 
and  brought  them  to  his  mother:  and  his  mother 
made  savoury  meat,  such  as  his  father  loved.  And 
Rebekah  took  goodly  raiment  of  her  eldest  son 
Esau,  which  were  with  her  in  the  house,  and  put 
them  upon  Jacob  her  younger  son :  and  she  put  the 
skins  of  the  kids  of  the  goats  upon  his  hands,  and 
upon  the  smooth  of  his  neck :  and  she  gave  the 
savoury  meat  and  the  bread,  which  she  had  pre- 
pared, into  the  hand  of  her  son  Jacob. 

And  he  came  unto  his  father,  and  said,  My 
father :  and  he  said,  Here  am  I ;  who  art  thou,  my 
son?  And  Jacob  said  unto  his  father,  I  am  Esau 
thy  firstborn ;  I  have  done  according  as  thou  badest 
me :  arise,  I  pray  thee,  sit  and  eat  of  my  venison, 
that  thy  soul  may  bless  me.  And  Isaac  said  unto 
his  son,  How  is  it  that  thou  hast  found  it  so 
quickly,  my  son?  And  he  said,  Because  the  Lord 
thy  God  brought  it  to  me.  And  Isaac  said  unto 
Jacob,  Come  near,  I  pray  thee,  that  I  may  feel  thee, 
my  son,  whether  thou  be  my  very  son  Esau  or  not. 


ESAU  AND  JACOB  33 

And  Jacob  went  near  unto  Isaac  his  father ;  and  he 
felt  him,  and  said,  The  voice  is  Jacob's  voice,  but 
the  hands  are  the  hands  of  Esau.  And  he  discerned 
him  not,  because  his  hands  were  hairy,  as  his 
brother  Esau's  hands :  so  he  blessed  him.  And  he 
said,  Art  thou  my  very  son  Esau?  And  he  said,  I 
am.  And  he  said,  Bring  it  near  to  me,  and  I  will 
eat  of  my  son's  venison,  that  my  soul  may  bless 
thee.  And  he  brought  it  near  to  him,  and  he  did 
eat :  and  he  brought  him  wine,  and  he  drank.  And 
his  father  Isaac  said  unto  him,  Come  near  now, 
and  kiss  me,  my  son.  And  he  came  near,  and 
kissed  him :  and  he  smelled  the  smell  of  his  raiment, 
and  blessed  him,  and  said,  See,  the  smell  of  my  son 
is  as  the  smell  of  a  field  which  the  Lord  hath 
blessed :  therefore  God  give  thee  of  the  dew  of 
heaven,  and  the  fatness  of  the  earth,  and  plenty  of 
corn  and  wine :  let  people  serve  thee,  and  nations 
bow  down  to  thee :  be  lord  over  thy  brethren,  and 
let  thy  mother's  sons  bow  down  to  thee :  cursed  be 
every  one  that  curseth  thee,  and  blessed  be  he  that 
blesseth  thee. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  as  soon  as  Isaac  had  made 
an  end  of  blessing  Jacob,  and  Jacob  was  yet  scarce 
gone  out  from  the  presence  of  Isaac  his  father,  that 
Esau  his  brother  came  in  from  his  hunting.  And 
he  also  had  made  savoury  meat,  and  brought  it 
unto  his  father,  and  said  unto  his  father,  Let  my 
father  arise,  and  eat  of  his  son's  venison,  that  thy 
soul  may  bless  me.  And  Isaac  his  father  said  unto 
him,  Who  art  thou?  And  he  said,  I  am  thy  son, 
thy  firstborn  Esau.  And  Isaac  trembled  very  ex- 
ceedingly, and  said.  Who?  where  is  he  that  hath 


34  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

taken  venison,  and  brought  it  me,  and  I  have  eaten 
of  all  before  thou  earnest,  and  have  blessed  him? 
yea,  and  he  shall  be  blessed.    And  when  Esau  heard 
the  words  of  his  father,  he  cried  with  a  great  and 
exceeding  bitter  cry,  and  said  unto  his  father,  Bless 
me,  even  me  also,  O  my  father.    And  he  said,  Thy 
brother  came  with  subtilty,  and  hath  taken  away 
thy  blessing.    And  he  said,  Is  not  he  rightly  named 
Jacob  [i.e.  "  One  that  supplants  "]  ?  for  he  hath  sup- 
planted me  these  two  times :  he  took  away  my  birth- 
right; and,  behold,  now  he  hath  taken  away  my 
blessing.     And  he  said,  Hast  thou  not  reserved  a 
blessing   for   me?     And   Isaac  answered   and   said 
unto  Esau,  Behold,  I  have  made  him  thy  lord,  and 
all  his  brethren  have  I  given  to  him  for  servants ; 
and  with  corn  and  wine  have  I  sustained  him :  and 
what  shall  I  do  now  unto  thee,  my  son  ?    And  Esau 
said  unto  his  father,  Hast  thou  but  one  blessing, 
my  father?  bless  me,  even  me  also,  O  my  father. 
And    Esau    lifted    up   his    voice,    and    wept.     And 
Isaac  his  father  answered  and  said  unto  him,  Be- 
hold, thy  dwelling  shall  be  the  fatness  of  the  earth, 
and  of  the  dew  of  heaven  from  above ;  and  by  thy 
sword  shalt  thou  live,  and  shalt  serve  thy  brother; 
and  it  shall  come  to  pass  when  thou  shalt  have  the 
dominion,  that  thou  shalt  break  his  yoke  from  off 
thy  neck. 

And  Esau  hated  Jacob  because  of  the  blessing 
wherewith  his  father  blessed  him :  and  Esau  said  in 
his  heart,  The  days  of  mourning  for  my  father  are 
at  hand;  then  will  I  slay  my  brother  Jacob.  And 
these  words  of  Esau  her  elder  son  were  told  to 
Rebekah :  and  she  sent  and  called  Jacob  her  younger 


ESAU  AND  JACOB  35 

son,  and  said  unto  him,  Behold,  thy  brother  Esau, 
as  touching  thee,  doth  comfort  himself,  purposing 
to  kill  thee.  Now  therefore,  my  son,  obey  my 
voice ;  and  arise,  flee  thou  to  Laban  my  brother  to 
Haran ;  and  tarry  with  him  a  few  days,  until 
thy  brother's  fury  turn  away ;  until  thy  brother's 
anger  turn  away  from  thee,  and  he  forget  that 
which  thou  hast  done  to  him :  then  I  will  send,  and 
fetch  thee  from  thence :  why  should  I  be  deprived 
also  of  you  both  in  one  day  ?  And  Rebekah  said 
to  Isaac,  I  am  weary  of  my  life  because  of  the 
daughters  of  Heth :  if  Jacob  take  a  wife  of  the 
daughters  of  Heth,  such  as  these  which  are  of 
the  daughters  of  the  land,  what  good  shall  my  life 
do  me? 

And  Isaac  called  Jacob,  and  blessed  him,  and 
charged  him,  and  said  unto  him,  Thou  shalt  not 
take  a  wife  of  the  daughters  of  Canaan.  Arise,  go 
to  Padan-aram,,  to  the  house  of  Bethuel  thy  mother's 
father ;  and  take  thee  a  wife  from  thence  of  the 
daughters  of  Laban  thy  mother's  brother.  And 
God  Almighty  bless  thee,  and  make  thee  fruitful, 
and  multiply  thee,  that  thou  mayest  be  a  multitude 
of  people;  and  give  thee  the  blessing  of  Abraham, 
to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  with  thee ;  that  thou  mayest 
inherit  the  land  wherein  thou  art  a  stranger,  which 
God  gave  unto  Abraham.  And  Isaac  sent  away 
Jacob :  and  he  went  to  Padan-aram  unto  Laban, 
son  of  Bethuel  the  Syrian,  the  brother  of  Rebekah, 
Jacob's  and  Esau's  mother. 

•  •  •  •  • 

And  Jacob  went  out  from  Beer-sheba,  and  went 
toward  Haran.  And  he  lighted  upon  a  certain 


36  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

place,  and  tarried  there  all  night,  because  the  sun 
was  set ;  and  he  took  of  the  stones  of  that  place,  and 
put  them  for  his  pillows,  and  lay  down  in  that  place 
to  sleep.  And  he  dreamed,  and  behold  a  ladder  set 
up  on  the  earth,  and  the  top  of  it  reached  to  heaven : 
and  behold  the  angels  of  God  ascending  and  de- 
scending on  it.  And,  behold,  the  Lord  stood  above 
it,  and  said,  I  am  the  Lord  God  of  Abraham  thy 
father,  and  the  God  of  Isaac :  the  land  whereon 
thou  liest,  to  thee  will  I  give  it,  and  to  thy  seed ; 
and  thy  seed  shall  be  as  the  dust  of  the  earth ;  and 
thou  shalt  spread  abroad  to  the  west,  and  to  the 
east,  and  to  the  north,  and  to  the  south :  and  in  thee 
and  in  thy  seed  shall  all  the  families  of  the  earth 
be  blessed.  And,  behold,  I  am  with  thee,  and  will 
keep  thee  in  all  places  whither  thou  goest,  and  will 
bring  thee  again  into  this  land ;  for  I  will  not  leave 
thee,  until  I  have  done  that  which  I  have  spoken  to 
thee  of. 

And  Jacob  awaked  out  of  his  sleep,  and  he  said, 
Surely  the  Lord  is  in  this  place ;  and  I  knew  it  not. 
And  he  was  afraid,  and  said,  How  dreadful  is  this 
place !  this  is  none  other  but  the  house  of  God,  and 
this  is  the  gate  of  heaven.  And  Jacob  rose  up  early 
in  the  morning,  and  took  the  stone  that  he  had  put 
for  his  pillows,  and  set  it  up  for  a  pillar,  and  poured 
oil  upon  the  top  of  it.  And  he  called  the  name  of 
that  place  Beth-el  [i.e.  "  The  house  of  God"]  :  but 
the  name  of  that  city  was  called  Luz  at  the  first. 
And  Jacob  vowed  a  vow,  saying,  If  God  will  be 
with  me,  and  will  keep  me  in  this  way  that  I  go, 
and  will  give  me  bread  to  eat,  and  raiment  to  put 
on,  so  that  I  come  again  to  my  father's  house  in 


ESAU  AND  JACOB  37 

peace ;  then  shall  the  Lord  be  my  God :  and  this 
-stone,  which  I  have  set  for  a  pillar,  shall  be  God's 
house :  and  of  all  that  thou  shalt  give  me  I  will 
surely  give  the  tenth  unto  thee. 

Then  Jacob  went  on  his  journey,  and  came  into 
the  land  of  the  people  of  the  east.  And  he  looked, 
and  behold  a  well  in  the  field,  and,  lo,  there  were 
three  flocks  of  sheep  lying  by  it ;  for  out  of  that  well 
they  watered  the  flocks :  and  a  great  stone  was  upon 
the  well's  mouth.  And  thither  were  all  the  flocks 
gathered :  and  they  rolled  the  stone  from  the  well's 
mouth,  and  watered  the  sheep,  and  put  the  stone 
again  upon  the  well's  mouth  in  his  place.  And 
Jacob  said  unto  them,  My  brethren,  whence  be  ye? 
And  they  said,  Of  Haran  are  we.  And  he  said  unto 
them,  Know  ye  Laban  the  son  of  Nahor  ?  And  they 
said,  We  know  him.  And  he  said  unto  them,  Is  he 
well?  And  they  said,  He  is  well:  and,  behold, 
Rachel  his  daughter  cometh  with  the  sheep.  And 
he  said,  Lo,  it  is  yet  high  day,  neither  is  it  time  that 
the  cattle  should  be  gathered  together :  water  ye  the 
sheep,  and  go  and  feed  them.  And  they  said,  We 
cannot,  until  all  the  flocks  be  gathered  together,  and 
till  they  roll  the  stone  from  the  well's  mouth;  then 
we  water  the  sheep. 

And  while  he  yet  spake  with  them,  Rachel  came 
with  her  father's  sheep :  for  she  kept  them.  And 
it  came  to  pass,  when  Jacob  saw  Rachel  the  daugh- 
ter of  Laban  his  mother's  brother,  and  the  sheep 
of  Laban  his  mother's  brother,  that  Jacob  went 
near,  and  rolled  the  stone  from  the  well's  mouth, 
and  watered  the  flock  of  Laban  his  mother's  brother. 
And  Jacob  kissed  Rachel,  and  lifted  up  his  voice, 


38  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  wept.  And  Jacob  told  Rachel  that  he  was  her 
father's  brother,  and  that  he  was  Rebekah's  son:- 
and  she  ran  and  told  her  father.  And  it  came  to 
pass,  when  Laban  heard  the  tidings  of  Jacob  his 
sister's  son,  that  he  ran  to  meet  him,  and  embraced 
him,  and  kissed  him,  and  brought  him  to  his  house. 
And  he  told  Laban  all  these  things.  And  Laban 
said  to  him,  Surely  thou  art  my  bone  and  my  flesh. 
And  he  abode  with  him  the  space  of  a  month. 

And  Laban  said  unto  Jacob,  Because  thou  art 
my  brother,  shouldest  thou  therefore  serve  me  for 
nought?  tell  me,  what  shall  thy  wages  be?  And 
Laban  had  two  daughters :  the  name  of  the  elder 
was  Leah,  and  the  name  of  the  younger  was  Rachel. 
Leah  was  tender  eyed;  but  Rachel  was  beautiful 
and  well  favoured.  And  Jacob  loved  Rachel ;  and 
said,  I  will  serve  thee  seven  years  for  Rachel  thy 
younger  daughter.  And  Laban  said,  It  is  better 
that  I  give  her  to  thee,  than  that  I  should  give  her 
to  another  man :  abide  with  me.  And  Jacob  served 
seven  years  for  Rachel ;  and  they  seemed  unto  him 
but  a  few  days,  for  the  love  he  had  to  her. 

And  Jacob  said  unto  Laban,  Give  me  my  wife, 
for  my  days  are  fulfilled,  that  I  may  go  in  unto  her. 
And  Laban  gathered  together  all  the  men  of  the 
place,  and  made  a  feast.  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the 
evening,  that  he  took  Leah  his  daughter,  and  brought 
her  to  him ;  and  he  went  in  unto  her.  And  Laban 
gave  unto  his  daughter  Leah  Zilpah  his  maid  for  an 
handmaid.  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  in  the  morn- 
ing, behold,  it  was  Leah:  and  he  said  to  Laban, 
What  is  this  thou  hast  done  unto  me?  did  not  I 
serve  with  thee  for  Rachel?  wherefore  then  hast 


ESAU  AND  JACOB  39 

thou  beguiled  me?  And  Laban  said,  It  must  not 
be  so  done  in  our  country,  to  give  the  younger  be- 
fore the  firstborn.  Fulfil  her  week,  and  we  will 
give  thee  this  also  for  the  service  which  thou  shalt 
serve  with  me  yet  seven  other  years.  And  Jacob 
did  so,  and  fulfilled  her  week :  and  he  gave  him 
Rachel  his  daughter  to  wife  also.  And  Laban  gave 
to  Rachel  his  daughter  Bilhah  his  handmaid  to  be 
her  maid.  And  he  went  in  also  unto  Rachel,  and 
he  loved  also  Rachel  more  than  Leah,  and  served 
with  him  yet  seven  other  years. 

.  .  •  «  • 

And  Jacob  went  on  his  way,  and  the  angels  of 
God  met  him.  And  when  Jacob  saw  them,  he  said, 
This  is  God's  host:  and  he  called  the  name  of  that 
place  Mahanaim  [i.e.  "Hosts,"  or  "Companies"]. 

And  Jacob  sent  messengers  before  him  to  Esau 
his  brother  unto  the  land  of  Seir,  the  country  of 
Edom.  And  he  commanded  them,  saying,  Thus 
shall  ye  speak  unto  my  lord  Esau ;  Thy  servant 
Jacob  saith  thus,  I  have  sojourned  with  Laban,  and 
stayed  there  until  now :  and  I  have  oxen,  and  asses, 
flocks,  and  menservants,  and  womenservants :  and  I 
have  sent  to  tell  my  lord,  that  I  may  find  grace  in 
thy  sight.  And  the  messengers  returned  to  Jacob, 
saying,  We  came  to  thy  brother  Esau,  and  also  he 
cometh  to  meet  thee,  and  four  hundred  men  with 
him.  Then  Jacob  was  greatly  afraid  and  distressed : 
and  he  divided  the  people  that  was  with  him,  and 
the  flocks,  and  herds,  and  the  camels,  into  two 
bands;  and  said,  If  Esau  come  to  the  one  company, 
and  smite  it,  then  the  other  company  which  is  left 
shall  escape. 


40  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  Jacob  said,  O  God  of  my  father  Abraham, 
and  God  of  my  father  Isaac,  the  Lord  which 
saidst  unto  me,  Return  unto  thy  country,  and 
to  thy  kindred,  and  I  will  deal  well  with  thee :  I  am 
not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the  mercies,  and  of  all 
the  truth,  which  thou  hast  shewed  unto  thy  servant ; 
for  with  my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan ;  and 
now  I  am  become  two  bands.  Deliver  me,  I  pray 
thee,  from  the  hand  of  my  brother,  from  the  hand 
of  Esau :  for  I  fear  him,  lest  he  will  come  and  smite 
me,  and  the  mother  with  the  children.  And  thou 
saidst,  I  will  surely  do  thee  good,  and  make  thy 
seed  as  the  sand  of  the  sea,  which  cannot  be  num- 
bered for  multitude. 

And  he  lodged  there  that  same  night,  and  took 
of  that  which  came  to  his  hand  a  present  for  Esau 
his  brother ;  two  hundred  she  goats,  and  twenty  he 
goats,  two  hundred  ewes,  and  twenty  rams,  thirty 
milch  camels  with  their  colts,  forty  kine,  and  ten 
bulls,  twenty  she  asses,  and  ten  foals.  And  he  de- 
livered them  into  the  hand  of  his  servants,  every 
drove  by  themselves ;  and  said  unto  his  servants, 
Pass  over  before  me,  and  put  a  space  betwixt  drove 
and  drove.  And  he  commanded  the  foremost,  say- 
ing, When  Esau  my  brother  meeteth  thee,  and  ask- 
eth  thee,  saying,  Whose  art  thou  ?  and  whither  goest 
thou?  and  whose  are  these  before  thee?  Then  thou 
shalt  say,  They  be  thy  servant  Jacob's ;  it  is  a  pres- 
ent sent  unto  my  lord  Esau :  and,  behold,  also  he 
is  behind  us.  And  so  commanded  he  the  second, 
and  the  third,  and  all  that  followed  the  droves,  say- 
ing, On  this  manner  shall  ye  speak  unto  Esau, 
when  ye  find  him.  And  say  ye  moreover,  Behold, 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 

OF 


AND  JACOB  41 


thy  servant  Jacob  is  behind  us.  For  he  said,  I  will 
appease  him  with  the  present  that  goeth  before  me, 
and  afterward  I  will  see  his  face ;  peradventure  he 
will  accept  of  me.  So  went  the  present  over  before 
him:  and  himself  lodged  that  night  in  the  company. 
And  he  rose  up  that  night,  and  took  his  two  wives, 
and  his  two  womenservants,  and  his  eleven  sons, 
and  passed  over  the  ford  Jabbok.  And  he  took 
them,  and  sent  them  over  the  brook,  and  sent  over 
that  he  had. 

And  Jacob  was  left  alone;  and  there  wrestled  a 
man  with  him  until  the  breaking  of  the  day. 
And  when  he  saw  that  he  prevailed  not  against 
him,  he  touched  the  hollow  of  his  thigh ;  and 
the  hollow  of  Jacob's  thigh  was  out  of  joint, 
as  he  wrestled  with  him.  And  he  said,  Let  me 
go,  for  the  day  breaketh.  And  he  said,  I  will 
not  let  thee  go,  except  thou  bless  me.  And  he 
said  unto  him,  What  is  thy  name?  And  he  said, 
Jacob.  And  he  said,  Thy  name  shall  be  called  no 
more  Jacob,  but  Israel  [i.e.  "  He  who  striveth  with 
God  "]  :  for  as  a  prince  hast  thou  power  with  God 
and  with  men,  and  hast  prevailed.  And  Jacob  asked 
him,  and  said,  Tell  me,  I  pray  thee,  thy  name.  And 
he  said,  Wherefore  is  it  that  thou  dost  ask  after 
my  name?  And  he  blessed  him  there.  And  Jacob 
called  the  name  of  the  place  Peniel  [i.e.  "  The 
face  of  God  "]  :  for  I  have  seen  God  face  to  face, 
and  my  life  is  preserved.  And  as  he  passed  over 
Penuel  the  sun  rose  upon  him,  and  he  halted  upon 
his  thigh.  Therefore  the  children  of  Israel  eat  not 
of  the  sinew  which  shrank,  which  is  upon  the  hol- 
low of  the  thigh,  unto  this  day :  because  he  touched 


42  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  hollow  of  Jacob's  thigh  in  the  sinew  that 
shrank. 

And  Jacob  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  looked,  and, 
behold,  Esau  came,  and  with  him  four  hundred  men. 
And  he  divided  the  children  unto  Leah,  and  unto 
Rachel,  and  unto  the  two  handmaids.  And  he  put 
the  handmaids  and  their  children  foremost,  and 
Leah  and  her  children  after,  and  Rachel  and  Joseph 
hindermost.  And  he  passed  over  before  them,  and 
bowed  himself  to  the  ground  seven  times,  until  he 
came  near  to  his  brother.  And  Esau  ran  to  meet 
him,  and  embraced  him,  and  fell  on  his  neck,  and 
kissed  him :  and  they  wept.  And  he  lifted  up  his 
eyes,  and  saw  the  women  and  the  children ;  and  said, 
Who  are  those  with  thee?  And  he  said,  The  chil- 
dren which  God  hath  graciously  given  thy  servant. 
Then  the  handmaidens  came  near,  they  and  their 
children,  and  they  bowed  themselves.  And  Leah 
also  with  her  children  came  near,  and  bowed  them- 
selves :  and  after  came  Joseph  near  and  Rachel,  and 
they  bowed  themselves. 

And  he  said,  What  meanest  thou  by  all  this  drove 
which  I  met?  And  he  said,  These  are  to  find  grace 
in  the  sight  of  my  lord.  And  Esau  said,  I  have 
enough,  my  brother ;  keep  that  thou  hast  unto  thy- 
self. And  Jacob  said,  Nay,  I  pray  thee,  if  now  I 
have  found  grace  in  thy  sight,  then  receive  my 
present  at  my  hand :  for  therefore  I  have  seen  thy 
face,  as  though  I  had  seen  the  face  of  God,  and  thou 
wast  pleased  with  me.  Take,  I  pray  thee,  my 
blessing  that  is  brought  to  thee ;  because  God  hath 
dealt  graciously  with  me,  and  because  I  have 
enough.  And  he  urged  him,  and  he  took  it.  And 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  43 

he  said,  Let  us  take  our  journey,  and  let  us  go,  and 
I  will  go  before  thee.  And  he  said  unto  him,  My 
lord  knoweth  that  the  children  are  tender,  and  the 
flocks  and  herds  with  young  are  with  me:  and  if 
men  should  overdrive  them  one  day,  all  the  flock 
will  die.  Let  my  lord,  I  pray  thee,  pass  over  before 
his  servant :  and  I  will  lead  on  softly,  according  as 
the  cattle  that  goeth  before  me  and  the  children  be 
able  to  endure,  until  I  come  unto  my  lord  unto  Seir. 
And  Esau  said,  Let  me  now  leave  with  thee  some  of 
the  folk  that  are  with  me.  And  he  said,  What  need- 
eth  it?  let  me  find  grace  in  the  sight  of  my  lord. 

So  Esau  returned  that  day  on  his  way  unto  Seir. 
And  Jacob  journeyed  to  Succoth,  and  built  him 
an  house,  and  made  booths  for  his  cattle:  there- 
fore the  name  of  the  place  is  called  Succoth  [i.e. 
"Booths"]. 

XI. 

3o0epb  anD  bis  JBretbren. 

Genesis  xxxvii.;  xxxix. — xlvi.  7  ;  xlvi.  28 — xlvii.  12. 

AND  Jacob  dwelt  in  the  land  wherein  his  father 
was  a  stranger,  in  the  land  of  Canaan.  These  are 
the  generations  of  Jacob.  Joseph,  being  seven- 
teen years  old,  was  feeding  the  flock  with  his 
brethren;  and  the  lad  was  with  the  sons  of  Bilhah, 
and  with  the  sons  of  Zilpah,  his  father's  wives :  and 
Joseph  brought  unto  his  father  their  evil  report. 
Now  Israel  loved  Joseph  more  than  all  his  children, 
because  he  was  the  son  of  his  old  age :  and  he  made 
him  a  coat  of  many  colours.  And  when  his  brethren 


44  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

saw  that  their  father  loved  him  more  than  all  his 
brethren,  they  hated  him,  and  could  not  speak 
peaceably  unto  him. 

And  Joseph  dreamed  a  dream,  and  he  told  it  his 
brethren :  and  they  hated  him  yet  the  more.  And 
he  said  unto  them,  Hear,  I  pray  you,  this  dream 
which  I  have  dreamed :  for,  behold,  we  were  bind- 
ing sheaves  in  the  field,  and,  lo,  my  sheaf  arose, 
and  also  stood  upright ;  and,  behold,  your  sheaves 
stood  round  about,  and  made  obeisance  to  my  sheaf. 
And  his  brethren  said  to  him,  Shalt  thou  indeed 
reign  over  us?  or  shalt  thou  indeed  have  dominion 
over  us?  And  they  hated  him  yet  the  more  for  his 
dreams,  and  for  his  words.  And  he  dreamed  yet 
another  dream,  and  told  it  his  brethren,  and  said, 
Behold,  I  have  dreamed  a  dream  more ;  and,  be- 
hold, the  sun  and  the  moon  and  the  eleven  stars 
made  obeisance  to  me.  And  he  told  it  to  his  father, 
and  to  his  brethren :  and  his  father  rebuked  him, 
and  said  unto  him,  What  is  this  dream  that  thou 
hast  dreamed  ?  Shall  I  and  thy  mother  and  thy 
brethren  indeed  come  to  bow  down  ourselves  to 
thee  to  the  earth?  And  his  brethren  envied  him; 
but  his  father  observed  the  saying. 

And  his  brethren  went  to  feed  their  father's 
flock  in  Shechem.  And  Israel  said  unto  Joseph,  Do 
not  thy  brethren  feed  the  flock  in  Shechem?  come, 
and  I  will  send  thee  unto  them.  And  he  said  to  him, 
Here  am  I.  And  he  said  to  him,  Go,  I  pray  thee, 
see  whether  it  be  well  with  thy  brethren,  and  well 
with  the  flocks ;  and  bring  me  word  again.  So  he 
sent  him  out  of  the  vale  of  Hebron,  and  he  came 
to  Shechem.  And  a  certain  man  found  him,  and, 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  45 

behold,  he  was  wandering  in  the  field :  and  the  man 
asked  him,  saying,  What  seekest  thou?  And  he 
said,  I  seek  my  brethren :  tell  me,  I  pray  thee,  where 
they  feed  their  flocks.  And  the  man  said,  They  are 
departed  hence ;  for  I  heard  them  say,  Let  us  go 
to  Dothan.  And  Joseph  went  after  his  brethren, 
and  found  them  in  Dothan.  And  when  they  saw 
him  afar  off,  even  before  he  came  near  unto  them, 
they  conspired  against  him  to  slay  him.  And  they 
said  one  to  another,  Behold,  this  dreamer  cometh. 
Come  now  therefore,  and  let  us  slay  him,  and  cast 
him  into  some  pit,  and  we  will  say,  Some  evil  beast 
hath  devoured  him :  and  we  shall  see  what  will  be- 
come of  his  dreams.  And  Reuben  heard  it,  and  he 
delivered  him  out  of  their  hands ;  and  said,  Let  us 
not  kill  him.  And  Reuben  said  unto  them,  Shed  no 
blood,  but  cast  him  into  this  pit  that  is  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and  lay  no  hand  upon  him ;  that  he  might  rid 
him  out  of  their  hands,  to  deliver  him  to  his  father 
again. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Joseph  was  come 
unto  his  brethren,  that  they  stript  Joseph  out  of 
his  coat,  his  coat  of  many  colours  that  was  on  him ; 
and  they  took  him,  and  cast  him  into  a  pit :  and  the 
pit  was  empty,  there  was  no  water  in  it.  And  they 
sat  down  to  eat  bread :  and  they  lifted  up  their  eyes 
and  looked,  and,  behold,  a  company  of  Ishmeelites 
came  from  Gilead  with  their  camels  bearing  spicery 
and  balm  and  myrrh,  going  to  carry  it  down  to 
Egypt.  And  Judah  said  unto  his  brethren,  What 
profit  is  it  if  we  slay  our  brother,  and  conceal  his 
blood  ?  Come,  and  let  us  sell  him  to  the  Ishmeelites, 
and  let  not  our  hand  be  upon  him;  for  he  is  our 


46  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

brother  and  our  flesh.  And  his  brethren  were  con- 
tent. Then  there  passed  by  Midianites  merchant- 
men ;  and  they  drew  and  lifted  up  Joseph  out  of 
the  pit,  and  sold  Joseph  to  the  Ishmeelites  for 
twenty  pieces  of  silver :  and  they  brought  Joseph 
into  Egypt. 

And  Reuben  returned  unto  the  pit;  and,  behold, 
Joseph  was  not  in  the  pit;  and  he  rent  his  clothes. 
And  he  returned  unto  his  brethren,  and  said, 
The  child  is  not;  and  I,  whither  shall  I  go?  And 
they  took  Joseph's  coat,  and  killed  a  kid  of  the 
goats,  and  dipped  the  coat  in  the  blood;  and  they 
sent  the  coat  of  many  colours,  and  they  brought  it 
to  their  father ;  and  said,  This  have  we  found : 
know  now  whether  it  be  thy  son's  coat  or  no.  And 
he  knew  it,  and  said,  It  is  my  son's  coat ;  an  evil 
beast  hath  devoured  him ;  Joseph  is  without  doubt 
rent  in  pieces.  And  Jacob  rent  his  clothes,  and  put 
sackcloth  upon  his  loins,  and  mourned  for  his  son 
many  days.  And  all  his  sons  and  all  his  daughters 
rose  up  to  comfort  him ;  but  he  refused  to  be  com- 
forted ;  and  he  said,  For  I  will  go  down  into  the 
grave  unto  my  son  mourning.  Thus  his  father 
wept  for  him.  And  the  Midianites  sold  him  into 
Egypt  unto  Potiphar,  an  officer  of  Pharaoh's,  and 
captain  of  the  guard. 

*  •  •  »  » 

And  Joseph  was  brought  down  to  Egypt ;  and 
Potiphar,  an  officer  of  Pharaoh,  captain  of  the 
guard,  an  Egyptian,  bought  him  of  the  hands  of 
the  Ishmeelites,  which  had  brought  him  down 
thither.  And  the  Lord  was  with  Joseph,  and  he 
was  a  prosperous  man ;  and  he  was  in  the  house  of 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  47 

his  master  the  Egyptian.  And  his  master  saw  that 
the  Lord  was  with  him,  and  that  the  Lord  made  all 
that  he  did  to  prosper  in  his  hand.  And  Joseph 
found  grace  in  his  sight,  and  he  served  him :  and 
he  made  him  overseer  over  his  house,  and  all  that 
he  had  he  put  into  his  hand.  And  it  came  to  pass 
from  the  time  that  he  had  made  him  overseer  in 
his  house,  and  over  all  that  he  had,  that  the  Lord 
blessed  the  Egyptian's  house  for  Joseph's  sake ;  and 
the  blessing  of  the  Lord  was  upon  all  that  he  had 
in  the  house,  and  in  the  field.  And  he  left  all  that 
he  had  in  Joseph's  hand;  and  he  knew  not  ought 
he  had,  save  the  bread  which  he  did  eat.  And 
Joseph  was  a  goodly  person,  and  well  favoured. 

And  it  came  to  pass  after  these  things,  that  his 
master's  wife  cast  her  eyes  upon  Joseph ;  and  she 
said,  Lie  with  me.  But  he  refused,  and  said  unto 
his  master's  wife,  Behold,  my  master  wotteth  not 
what  is  with  me  in  the  house,  and  he  hath  com- 
mitted all  that  he  hath  to  my  hand ;  there  is  none 
greater  in  this  house  than  I ;  neither  hath  he  kept 
back  any  thing  from  me  but  thee,  because  thou  art 
his  wife :  how  then  can  I  do  this  great  wickedness, 
and  sin  against  God?  And  it  came  to  pass,  as  she 
spake  to  Joseph  day  by  day,  that  he  hearkened  not 
unto  her,  to  lie  by  her,  or  to  be  with  her. 

And  it  came  to  pass  about  this  time,  that  Joseph 
went  into  the  house  to  do  his  business ;  and  there 
was  none  of  the  men  of  the  house  there  within. 
And  she  caught  him  by  his  garment,  saying,  Lie 
with  me :  and  he  left  his  garment  in  her  hand,  and 
fled,  and  got  him  out.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when 
she  saw  that  he  had  left  his  garment  in  her  hand, 


48  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  was  fled  forth,  that  she  called  unto  the  men 
of  her  house,  and  spake  unto  them,  saying,  See, 
he  hath  brought  in  an  Hebrew  unto  us  to  mock  us ; 
he  came  in  unto  me  to  lie  with  me,  and  I  cried  with 
a  loud  voice :  and  it  came  to  pass,  when  he  heard 
that  I  lifted  up  my  voice  and  cried,  that  he  left  his 
garment  with  me,  and  fled,  and  got  him  out.  And 
she  laid  up  his  garment  by  her,  until  his  lord  came 
home.  And  she  spake  unto  him  according  to  these 
words,  saying,  The  Hebrew  servant,  which  thou 
hast  brought  unto  us,  came  in  unto  me  to  mock  me : 
and  it  came  to  pass,  as  I  lifted  up  my  voice  and 
cried,  that  he  left  his  garment  with  me,  and  fled 
out.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  his  master  heard 
the  words  of  his  wife,  which  she  spake  unto  him, 
saying,  After  this  manner  did  thy  servant  to  me; 
that  his  wrath  was  kindled.  And  Joseph's  master 
took  him,  and  put  him  into  the  prison,  a  place  where 
the  king's  prisoners  were  bound :  and  he  was  there 
in  the  prison. 

But  the  Lord  was  with  Joseph,  and  shewed  him 
mercy,  and  gave  him  favour  in  the  sight  of  the 
keeper  of  the  prison.  And  the  keeper  of  the  prison 
committed  to  Joseph's  hand  all  the  prisoners  that 
were  in  the  prison ;  and  whatsoever  they  did  there, 
he  was  the  doer  of  it.  The  keeper  of  the  prison 
looked  not  to  any  thing  that  was  under  his  hand ; 
because  the  Lord  was  with  him,  and  that  which  he 
did,  the  Lord  made  it  to  prosper. 

And  it  came  to  pass  after  these  things,  that  the 
butler  of  the  king  of  Egypt  and  his  baker  had  of- 
fended their  lord  the  king  of  Egypt.  And  Pharaoh 
was  wroth  against  two  of  his  officers,  against  the 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  49 

chief  of  the  butlers,  and  against  the  chief  of  the 
bakers.  And  he  put  them  in  ward  in  the  house  of 
the  captain  of  the  guard,  into  the  prison,  the  place 
where  Joseph  was  bound.  And  the  captain  of  the 
guard  charged  Joseph  with  them,  and  he  served 
them :  and  they  continued  a  season  in  ward. 

And  they  dreamed  a  dream  both  of  them,  each 
man  his  dream  in  one  night,  each  man  according 
to  the  interpretation  of  his  dream,  the  butler  and 
the  baker  of  the  king  of  Egypt,  which  were  bound 
in  the  prison.  And  Joseph  came  in  unto  them  in 
the  morning,  and  looked  upon  them,  and,  behold, 
they  were  sad.  And  he  asked  Pharaoh's  officers 
that  were  with  him  in  the  ward  of  his  lord's  house, 
saying,  Wherefore  look  ye  so  sadly  to  day?  And 
they  said  unto  him,  We  have  dreamed  a  dream,  and 
there  is  no  interpreter  of  it.  And  Joseph  said  unto 
them,  Do  not  interpretations  belong  to  God?  tell 
me  them,  I  pray  you. 

And  the  chief  butler  told  his  dream  to  Joseph, 
and  said  to  him,  In  my  dream,  behold,  a  vine  was 
before  me;  and  in  the  vine  were  three  branches: 
and  it  was  as  though  it  budded,  and  her  blossoms 
shot  forth ;  and  the  clusters  thereof  brought  forth 
ripe  grapes :  and  Pharaoh's  cup  was  in  my  hand : 
and  I  took  the  grapes,  and  pressed  them  into  Pha- 
raoh's cup,  and  I  gave  the  cup  into  Pharaoh's  hand. 
And  Joseph  said  unto  him,  This  is  the  interpreta- 
tion of  it:  the  three  branches  are  three  days:  yet 
within  three  days  shall  Pharaoh  lift  up  thine  head, 
and  restore  thee  unto  thy  place :  and  thou  shalt  de- 
liver Pharaoh's  cup  into  his  hand,  after  the  former 
manner  when  thou  wast  his  butler.  But  think  on 


50  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

me  when  it  shall  be  well  with  thee,  and  shew  kind- 
ness, I  pray  thee,  unto  me,  and  make  mention  of 
me  unto  Pharaoh,  and  bring  me  out  of  this  house : 
for  indeed  I  was  stolen  away  out  of  the  land  of  the 
Hebrews :  and  here  also  have  I  done  nothing  that 
they  should  put  me  into  the  dungeon. 

When  the  chief  baker  saw  that  the  interpretation 
was  good,  he  said  unto  Joseph,  I  also  was  in  my 
dream,  and,  behold,  I  had  three  white  baskets  on 
my  head :  and  in  the  uppermost  basket  there  was 
of  all  manner  of  bakemeats  for  Pharaoh ;  and  the 
birds  did  eat  them  out  of  the  basket  upon  my  head. 
And  Joseph  answered  and  said,  This  is  the  inter- 
pretation thereof :  the  three  baskets  are  three  days : 
yet  within  three  days  shall  Pharaoh  lift  up  thy  head 
from  off  thee,  and  shall  hang  thee  on  a  tree ;  and 
the  birds  shall  eat  thy  flesh  from  off  thee. 

And  it  came  to  pass  the  third  day,  which  was 
Pharaoh's  birthday,  that  he  made  a  feast  unto  all 
his  servants :  and  he  lifted  up  the  head  of  the  chief 
butler  and  of  the  chief  baker  among  his  servants. 
And  he  restored  the  chief  butler  unto  his  butlership 
again ;  and  he  gave  the  cup  into  Pharaoh's  hand : 
but  he  hanged  the  chief  baker :  as  Joseph  had  inter- 
preted to  them.  Yet  did  not  the  chief  butler  remem- 
ber Joseph,  but  forgat  him. 

And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  end  of  two  full  years, 
that  Pharaoh  dreamed :  and,  behold,  he  stood  by  the 
river.  And,  behold,  there  came  up  out  of  the  river 
seven  well  favoured  kine  and  fatrleshed ;  and  they 
fed  in  a  meadow.  And,  behold,  seven  other  kine 
came  up  after  them  out  of  the  river,  ill  favoured 
and  leanfleshed ;  and  stood  by  the  other  kine  upon 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  51 

the  brink  of  the  river.  And  the  ill  favoured  and 
leanfleshed  kine  did  eat  up  the  seven  well  favoured 
and  fat  kine.  So  Pharaoh  awoke.  And  he  slept 
and  dreamed  the  second  time :  and,  behold,  seven 
ears  of  corn  came  up  upon  one  stalk,  rank  and  good. 
And,  behold,  seven  thin  ears  and  blasted  with  the 
east  wind  sprung  up  after  them.  And  the  seven 
thin  ears  devoured  the  seven  rank  and  full  ears. 
And  Pharaoh  awoke,  and,  behold,  it  was  a  dream. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  morning  that  his  spirit 
was  troubled ;  and  he  sent  and  called  for  all  the 
magicians  of  Egypt,  and  all  the  wise  men  thereof : 
and  Pharaoh  told  them  his  dream  ;  but  there  was 
none  that  could  interpret  them  unto  Pharaoh.  Then 
spake  the  chief  butler  unto  Pharaoh,  saying,  I  do 
remember  my  faults  this  day :  Pharaoh  was  wroth 
with  his  servants,  and  put  me  in  ward  in  the  captain 
of  the  guard's  house,  both  me  and  the  chief  baker : 
and  we  dreamed  a  dream  in  one  night,  I  and  he ; 
we  dreamed  each  man  according  to  the  interpreta- 
tion of  his  dream.  And  there  was  there  with  us  a 
young  man.  an  Hebrew,  servant  to  the  captain  of 
the  guard ;  and  we  told  him,  and  he  interpreted  to 
us  our  dreams ;  to  each  man  according  to  his  dream 
he  did  interpret.  And  it  came  to  pass,  as  he  inter- 
preted to  us,  so  it  was ;  me  he  restored  unto  mine 
office,  and  him  he  hanged. 

Then  Pharaoh  sent  and  called  Joseph,  and  they 
brought  him  hastily  out  of  the  dungeon :  and  he 
shaved  himself,  and  changed  his  raiment,  and  came 
in  unto  Pharaoh.  And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph, 
I  have  dreamed  a  dream,  and  there  is  none  that  can 
interpret  it :  and  I  have  heard  say  of  thee,  that  thou 


52  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

canst  understand  a  dream  to  interpret  it.  And 
Joseph  answered  Pharaoh,  saying,  It  is  not  in  me : 
God  shall  give  Pharaoh  an  answer  of  peace.  And 
Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  In  my  dream,  behold,  I 
stood  upon  the  bank  of  the  river :  and.  behold,  there 
came  up  out  of  the  river  seven  kine,  fatfleshed  and 
well  favoured ;  and  they  fed  in  a  meadow :  and, 
behold,  seven  other  kine  came  up  after  them,  poor 
and  very  ill  favoured  and  leanfleshed,  such  as  I 
never  saw  in  all  the  land  of  Egypt  for  badness :  and 
the  lean  and  the  ill  favoured  kine  did  eat  up  the 
first  seven  fat  kine :  and  when  they  had  eaten  them 
up,  it  could  not  be  known  that  they  had  eaten  them ; 
but  they  were  still  ill  favoured,  as  at  the  beginning. 
So  I  awoke.  And  I  saw  in  my  dream,  and,  behold, 
seven  ears  came  up  in  one  stalk,  full  and  good :  and, 
behold,  seven  ears,  withered,  thin,  and  blasted  with 
the  east  wind,  sprung  up  after  them :  and  the  thin 
ears  devoured  the  seven  good  ears :  and  I  told  this 
unto  the  magicians ;  but  there  was  none  that  could 
declare  it  to  me. 

And  Joseph  said  unto  Pharaoh,  The  dream  of 
Pharaoh  is  one :  God  hath  shewed  Pharaoh  what 
he  is  about  to  do.  The  seven  good  kine  are  seven 
years ;  and  the  seven  good  ears  are  seven  years :  the 
dream  is  one.  And  the  seven  thin  and  ill  favoured 
kine  that  came  up  after  them  are  seven  years ;  and 
the  seven  empty  ears  blasted  with  the  east  wind  shall 
be  seven  years  of  famine.  This  is  the  thing  which 
I  have  spoken  unto  Pharaoh :  what  God  is  about 
to  do  he  sheweth  unto  Pharaoh.  Behold,  there 
come  seven  years  of  great  plenty  throughout  all 
the  land  of  Egypt :  and  there  shall  arise  after  them 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  53 

seven  years  of  famine ;  and  all  the  plenty  shall  be 
forgotten  in  the  land  of  Egypt;  and  the  famine 
shall  consume  the  land ;  and  the  plenty  shall  not  be 
known  in  the  land  by  reason  of  that  famine  follow- 
ing ;  for  it  shall  be  very  grievous.  And  for  that  the 
dream  was  doubled  unto  Pharaoh  twice ;  it  is  because 
the  thing  is  established  by  God,  and  God  will  shortly 
bring  it  to  pass.  Now  therefore  let  Pharaoh  look 
out  a  man  discreet  and  wise,  and  set  him  over  the 
land  of  Egypt.  Let  Pharaoh  do  this,  and  let  him 
appoint  officers  over  the  land,  and  take  up  the  fifth 
part  of  the  land  of  Egypt  in  the  seven  plenteous 
years.  And  let  them  gather  all  the  food  of  those 
good  years  that  come,  and  lay  up  corn  under  the 
hand  of  Pharaoh,  and  let  them  keep  food  in  the 
cities.  And  that  food  shall  be  for  store  to  the  land 
against  the  seven  years  of  famine,  which  shall  be 
in  the  land  of  Egypt;  that  the  land  perish  not 
through  the  famine. 

And  the  thing  was  good  in  the  eyes  of  Pharaoh, 
and  in  the  eyes  of  all  his  servants.  And  Pharaoh 
said  unto  his  servants,  Can  we  find  such  a  one  as 
this  is,  a  man  in  whom  the  Spirit  of  God  is?  And 
Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  Forasmuch  as  God  hath 
shewed  thee  all  this,  there  is  none  so  discreet  and 
wise  as  thou  art :  thou  shalt  be  over  my  house,  and 
according  unto  thy  word  shall  all  my  people  be 
ruled :  only  in  the  throne  will  I  be  greater  than  thou. 
And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  See,  I  have  set  thee 
over  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  Pharaoh  took  off 
his  ring  from  his  hand,  and  put  it  upon  Joseph's 
hand,  and  arrayed  him  in  vestures  of  fine  linen,  and 
put  a  gold  chain  about  his  neck ;  and  he  made  him  to 


54  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

ride  in  the  second  chariot  which  he  had;  and  they 
cried  before  him,  Bow  the  knee :  and  he  made  him 
ruler  over  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  Pharaoh 
said  unto  Joseph,  I  am  Pharaoh,  and  without  thee 
shall  no  man  lift  up  his  hand  or  foot  in  all  the 
land  of  Egypt.  And  Pharaoh  called  Joseph's  name 
Zaphnath-paaneah  [i.e.  "  A  revealer  of  secrets  "]  ; 
and  he  gave  him  to  wife  Asenath  the  daughter  of 
Poti-pherah  priest  of  On.  And  Joseph  went  out 
over  all  the  land  of  Egypt. 

And  Joseph  was  thirty  years  old  when  he  stood 
before  Pharaoh  king  of  Egypt.  And  Joseph  went 
out  from  the  presence  of  Pharaoh,  and  went  through- 
out all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  in  the  seven  plen- 
teous years  the  earth  brought  forth  by  hand  fills. 
And  he  gathered  up  all  the  food  of  the  seven  years, 
which  were  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  laid  up  the 
food  in  the  cities :  the  food  of  the  field,  which  was 
round  about  every  city,  laid  he  up  in  the  same. 
And  Joseph  gathered  corn  as  the  sand  of  the  sea, 
very  much,  until  he  left  numbering;  for  it  was  with- 
out number.  And  unto  Joseph  were  born  two  sons, 
before  the  years  of  famine  came,  which  Asenath  the 
daughter  of  Poti-pherah  priest  of  On  bare  unto 
him.  And  Joseph  called  the  name  of  the  firstborn 
Manasseh  [i.e.  "  Making  to  forget  "]  :  For  God, 
said  he,  hath  made  me  forget  all  my  toil,  and  all 
my  father's  house.  And  the  name  of  the  second 
called  he  Ephraim  [i.e.  "  Fruitful "]  :  For  God 
hath  caused  me  to  be  fruitful  in  the  land  of  my 
affliction. 

And  the  seven  years  of  plenteousness,  that  was 
in  the  land  of  Egypt,  were  ended.  And  the  seven 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  55 

years  of  dearth  began  to  come,  according  as  Joseph 
had  said :  and  the  dearth  was  in  all  lands ;  but  in  all 
the  land  of  Egypt  there  was  bread.  And  when  all 
the  land  of  Egypt  was  famished,  the  people  cried 
to  Pharaoh  for  bread :  and  Pharaoh  said  unto  all 
the  Egyptians,  Go  unto  Joseph ;  what  he  saith  to 
you,  do.  And  the  famine  was  over  all  the  face  of 
the  earth :  and  Joseph  opened  all  the  storehouses, 
and  sold  unto  the  Egyptians ;  and  the  famine  waxed 
sore  in  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  all  countries  came 
into  Egypt  to  Joseph  for  to  buy  corn ;  because  that 
the  famine  was  so  sore  in  all  lands. 

Now  when  Jacob  saw  that  there  was  corn  in 
Egypt,  Jacob  said  unto  his  sons,  Why  do  ye  look 
one  upon  another?  And  he  said,  Behold,  I  have 
heard  that  there  is  corn  in  Egypt :  get  you  down 
thither,  and  buy  for  us  from  thence ;  that  we  may 
live,  and  not  die.  And  Joseph's  ten  brethren  went 
down  to  buy  corn  in  Egypt.  But  Benjamin,  Joseph's 
brother,  Jacob  sent  not  with  his  brethren ;  for  he 
said,  Lest  peradventure  mischief  befall  him. 

And  the  sons  of  Israel  came  to  buy  corn  among 
those  that  came :  for  the  famine  was  in  the  land  of 
Canaan.  And  Joseph  was  the  governor  over  the 
land,  and  he  it  was  that  sold  to  all  the  people  of  the 
land :  and  Joseph's  brethren  came,  and  bowed  down 
themselves  before  him  with  their  faces  to  the  earth. 
And  Joseph  saw  his  brethren,  and  he  knew  them, 
but  made  himself  strange  unto  them,  and  spake 
roughly  unto  them ;  and  he  said  unto  them,  Whence 
come  ye  ?  And  they  said,  From  the  land  of  Canaan 
to  buy  food.  And  Joseph  knew  his  brethren,  but 
they  knew  not  him.  And  Joseph  remembered  the 


5 6  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

dreams  which  he  dreamed  of  them,  and  said  unto 
them,  Ye  are  spies ;  to  see  the  nakedness  of  the 
land  ye  are  come.  And  they  said  unto  him,  Nay, 
my  lord,  but  to  buy  food  are  thy  servants  come. 
We  are  all  one  man's  sons ;  we  are  true  men,  thy 
servants  are  no  spies.  And  he  said  unto  them,  Nay, 
but  to  see  the  nakedness  of  the  land  ye  are  come. 
And  they  said,  Thy  servants  are  twelve  brethren, 
the  sons  of  one  man  in  the  land  of  Canaan ;  and, 
behold,  the  youngest  is  this  day  with  our  father, 
and  one  is  not.  And  Joseph  said  unto  them,  That 
is  it  that  I  spake  unto  you,  saying,  Ye  are  spies : 
hereby  ye  shall  be  proved:  by  the  life  of  Pharaoh 
ye  shall  not  go  forth  hence,  except  your  youngest 
brother  come  hither.  Send  one  of  you,  and  let  him 
fetch  your  brother,  and  ye  shall  be  kept  in  prison, 
that  your  words  may  be  proved,  whether  there  be 
any  truth  in  you :  or  else  by  the  life  of  Pharaoh 
surely  ye  are  spies.  And  he  put  them  all  together 
into  ward  three  days.  And  Joseph  said  unto  them 
the  third  day,  This  do,  and  live;  for  I  fear  God:  if 
ye  be  true  men,  let  one  of  your  brethren  be  bound 
in  the  house  of  your  prison :  go  ye,  carry  corn  for 
the  famine  of  your  houses :  but  bring  your  youngest 
brother  unto  me ;  so  shall  your  words  be  verified, 
and  ye  shall  not  die.  And  they  did  so. 

And  they  said  one  to  another,  We  are  verily 
guilty  concerning  our  brother,  in  that  we  saw  the 
anguish  of  his  soul,  when  he  besought  us,  and  we 
would  not  hear ;  therefore  is  this  distress  come  upon 
us.  And  Reuben  answered  them,  saying,  Spake  I 
not  unto  you,  saying,  Do  not  sin  against  the  child ; 
and  ye  would  not  hear?  therefore,  behold,  also  his 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  57 

blood  is  required.  And  they  knew  not  that  Joseph 
understood  them ;  for  he  spake  unto  them  by  an 
interpreter.  And  he  turned  himself  about  from 
them,  and  wept ;  and  returned  to  them  again,  and 
communed  with  them,  and  took  from  them  Simeon, 
and  bound  him  before  their  eyes. 

Then  Joseph  commanded  to  fill  their  sacks  with 
corn,  and  to  restore  every  man's  money  into  his 
sack,  and  to  give  them  provision  for  the  way :  and 
thus  did  he  unto  them.  And  they  laded  their  asses 
with  the  corn,  and  departed  thence.  And  as  one  of 
them  opened  his  sack  to  give  his  ass  provender  in 
the  inn,  he  espied  his  money ;  for,  behold,  it  was  in 
his  sack's  mouth.  And  he  said  unto  his  brethren, 
My  money  is  restored ;  and,  lo,  it  is  even  in  my  sack : 
and  their  heart  failed  them,  and  they  were  afraid, 
saying  one  to  another,  What  is  this  that  God  hath 
done  unto  us  ? 

And  they  came  unto  Jacob  their  father  unto 
the  land  of  Canaan,  and  told  him  all  that  befell 
unto  them ;  saying,  The  man,  who  is  the  lord 
of  the  land,  spake  roughly  to  us,  and  took  us 
for  spies  of  the  country.  And  we  said  unto  him, 
We  are  true  men ;  we  are  no  spies :  we  be  twelve 
brethren,  sons  of  our  father;  one  is  not,  and  the 
youngest  is  this  day  with  our  father  in  the  land  of 
Canaan.  And  the  man,  the  lord  of  the  country,  said 
unto  us,  Hereby  shall  I  know  that  ye  are  true  men ; 
leave  one  of  your  brethren  here  with  me,  and  take 
food  for  the  famine  of  your  households,  and  be 
gone :  and  bring  your  youngest  brother  unto  me : 
then  shall  I  know  that  ye  are  no  spies,  but  that  ye 
are  true  men :  so  will  I  deliver  you  your  brother, 


58  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  ye  shall  traffick  in  the  land.  And  it  came  to  pass 
as  they  emptied  their  sacks,  that,  behold,  every 
man's  bundle  of  money  was  in  his  sack :  and  when 
both  they  and  their  father  saw  the  bundles  of  money, 
they  were  afraid.  And  Jacob  their  father  said  unto 
them,  Me  have  ye  bereaved  of  my  children :  Joseph 
is  not,  and  Simeon  is  not,  and  ye  will  take  Benjamin 
away :  all  these  things  are  against  me.  And  Reuben 
spake  unto  his  father,  saying,  Slay  my  two  sons,  if 
I  bring  him  not  to  thee :  deliver  him  into  my  hand, 
and  I  will  bring  him  to  thee  again.  And  he  said, 
My  son  shall  not  go  down  with  you ;  for  his  brother 
is  dead,  and  he  is  left  alone :  if  mischief  befall  him 
by  the  way  in  the  which  ye  go,  then  shall  ye  bring 
down  my  gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave. 

And  the  famine  was  sore  in  the  land.  And  it 
came  to  pass,  when  they  had  eaten  up  the  corn  which 
they  had  brought  out  of  Egypt,  their  father  said 
unto  them,  Go  again,  buy  us  a  little  food.  And 
Judah  spake  unto  him,  saying,  The  man  did 
solemnly  protest  unto  us,  saying,  Ye  shall  not  see 
my  face,  except  your  brother  be  with  you.  If  thou 
wilt  send  our  brother  with  us,  we  will  go  down  and 
buy  thee  food :  but  if  thou  wilt  not  send  him,  we 
will  not  go  down :  for  the  man  said  unto  us,  Ye  shall 
not  see  my  face,  except  your  brother  be  with  you. 
And  Israel  said,  Wherefore  dealt  ye  so  ill  with  me, 
as  to  tell  the  man  whether  ye  had  yet  a  brother? 
And  they  said,  The  man  asked  us  straitly  of  our 
state,  and  of  our  kindred,  saying,  Is  your  father 
yet  alive  ?  have  ye  another  brother  ?  and  we  told  him 
according  to  the  tenor  of  these  words:  could  we 
certainly  know  that  he  would  say,  Bring  your  brother 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  59 

down  ?  And  Judah  said  unto  Israel  his  father,  Send 
the  lad  with  me,  and  we  will  arise  and  go;  that  we 
may  live,  and  not  die,  both  we,  and  thou,  and  also 
our  little  ones.  I  will  be  surety  for  him ;  of  my 
hand  shalt  thou  require  him :  if  I  bring  him  not 
unto  thee,  and  set  him  before  thee,  then  let  me  bear 
the  blame  for  ever :  for  except  we  had  lingered, 
surely  now  we  had  returned  this  second  time.  And 
their  father  Israel  said  unto  them,  If  it  must  be  so 
now,  do  this ;  take  of  the  best  fruits  in  the  land  in 
your  vessels,  and  carry  down  the  man  a  present,  a 
little  balm,  and  a  little  honey,  spices,  and  myrrh, 
nuts,  and  almonds :  and  take  double  money  in  your 
hand ;  and  the  money  that  was  brought  again  in  the 
mouth  of  your  sacks,  carry  it  again  in  your  hand ; 
peradventure  it  was  an  oversight :  take  also  your 
brother,  and  arise,  go  again  unto  the  man :  and  God 
Almighty  give  you  mercy  before  the  man,  that  he 
may  send  away  your  other  brother,  and  Benjamin. 
If  I  be  bereaved  of  my  children,  I  am  bereaved. 

And  the  men  took  that  present,  and  they  took 
double  money  in  their  hand,  and  Benjamin ;  and  rose 
up,  and  went  down  to  Egypt,  and  stood  before 
Joseph.  And  when  Joseph  saw  Benjamin  with 
them,  he  said  to  the  ruler  of  his  house,  Bring  these 
men  home,  and  slay,  and  make  ready;  for  these 
men  shall  dine  with  me  at  noon.  And  the  man  did 
as  Joseph  bade ;  and  the  man  brought  the  men  into 
Joseph's  house.  And  the  men  were  afraid,  because 
they  were  brought  into  Joseph's  house ;  and  they 
said.  Because  of  the  money  that  was  returned  in  our 
sacks  at  the  first  time  are  we  brought  in ;  that  he 
may  seek  occasion  against  us,  and  fall  upon  us,  and 


60  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

take  its  for  bondmen,  and  our  asses.  And  they 
came  near  to  the  steward  of  Joseph's  house,  and 
they  communed  with  him  at  the  door  of  the  house, 
and  said,  O  sir,  we  came  indeed  down  at  the  first 
time  to  buy  food :  and  it  came  to  pass,  when  we 
came  to  the  inn,  that  we  opened  our  sacks,  and, 
behold,  every  man's  money  was  in  the  mouth  of  his 
sack,  our  money  in  full  weight :  and  we  have  brought 
it  again  in  our  hand.  And  other  money  have  we 
brought  down  in  our  hands  to  buy  food :  we  cannot 
tell  who  put  our  money  in  our  sacks.  And  he  said, 
Peace  be  to  you,  fear  not :  your  God,  and  the  God 
of  your  father,  hath  given  you  treasure  in  your 
sacks :  I  had  your  money.  And  he  brought  Simeon 
out  unto  them.  And  the  man  brought  the  men  into 
Joseph's  house,  and  gave  them  water,  and  they 
washed  their  feet ;  and  he  gave  their  asses  prov- 
ender. And  they  made  ready  the  present  against 
Joseph  came  at  noon :  for  they  heard  that  they 
should  eat  bread  there. 

And  when  Joseph  came  home,  they  brought  him 
the  present  which  was  in  their  hand  into  the  house, 
and  bowed  themselves  to  him  to  the  earth.  And 
he  asked  them  of  their  welfare,  and  said,  Is  your 
father  well,  the  old  man  of  whom  ye  spake?  Is  he 
yet  alive?  And  they  answered,  Thy  servant  our 
father  is  in  good  health,  he  is  yet  alive.  And  they 
bowed  down  their  heads,  and  made  obeisance.  And 
he  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  saw  his  brother  Benjamin, 
his  mother's  son,  and  said,  Is  this  your  younger 
brother,  of  whom  ye  spake  unto  me?  And  he  said, 
God  be  gracious  unto  thee,  my  son.  And  Joseph 
made  haste ;  for  his  bowels  did  yearn  upon  his 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  61 

brother :  and  he  sought  where  to  weep ;  and 
he  entered  into  his  chamber,  and  wept  there. 
And  he  washed  his  face,  and  went  out,  and 
refrained  himself,  and  said,  Set  on  bread.  And 
they  set  on  for  him  by  himself,  and  for  them  by 
themselves,  and  for  the  Egyptians,  which  did  eat 
with  him,  by  themselves :  because  the  Egyptians 
might  not  eat  bread  with  the  Hebrews ;  for  that  is 
an  abomination  unto  the  Egyptians.  And  they  sat 
before  him,  the  firstborn  according  to  his  birthright, 
and  the  youngest  according  to  his  youth :  and  the 
men  marvelled  one  at  another.  And  he  took  and 
sent  messes  unto  them  from  before  him:  but  Benja- 
min's mess  was  five  times  so  much  as  any  of  theirs. 
And  they  drank,  and  were  merry  with  him. 

And  he  commanded  the  steward  of  his  house, 
saying,  Fill  the  men's  sacks  with  food,  as  much  as 
they  can  carry,  and  put  every  man's  money  in  his 
sack's  mouth.  And  put  my  cup,  the  silver  cup,  in 
the  sack's  mouth  of  the  youngest,  and  his  corn 
money.  And  he  did  according  to  the  word  that 
Joseph  had  spoken.  As  soon  as  the  morning  was 
light,  the  men  were  sent  away,  they  and  their  asses. 
And  when  they  were  gone  out  of  the  city,  and  not 
yet  far  off,  Joseph  said  unto  his  steward,  Up,  follow 
after  the  men ;  and  when  thou  dost  overtake 
them,  say  unto  them,  Wherefore  have  ye  rewarded 
evil  for  good?  Is  not  this  it  in  which  my  lord 
drinketh,  and  whereby  indeed  he  divineth  ?  ye  have 
done  evil  in  so  doing.  And  he  overtook  them,  and 
he  spake  unto  them  these  same  words.  And  they 
said  unto  him,  Wherefore  saith  my  lord  these 
words?  God  forbid  that  thy  servants  should  do 


62  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

according  to  this  thing:  behold,  the  money,  which 
we  found  in  our  sacks'  mouths,  we  brought  again 
unto  thee  out  of  the  land  of  Canaan :  how  then 
should  we  steal  out  of  thy  lord's  house  silver  or 
gold?  With  whomsoever  of  thy  servants  it  be 
found,  both  let  him  die,  and  we  also  will  be  my  lord's 
bondmen.  And  he  said,  Now  also  let  it  be  accord- 
ing unto  your  words :  he  with  whom  it  is  found  shall 
be  my  servant ;  and  ye  shall  be  blameless.  Then 
they  speedily  took  down  every  man  his  sack  to  the 
ground,  and  opened  every  man  his  sack.  And  he 
searched,  and  began  at  the  eldest,  and  left  at  the 
youngest:  and  the  cup  was  found  in  Benjamin's 
sack.  Then  they  rent  their  clothes,  and  laded  every 
man  his  ass,  and  returned  to  the  city. 

And  Judah  and  his  brethren  came  to  Joseph's 
house ;  for  he  was  yet  there  :  and  they  fell  before  him 
on  the  ground.  And  Joseph  said  unto  them,  What 
deed  is  this  that  ye  have  done  ?  wot  ye  not  that  such 
a  man  as  I  can  certainly  divine?  And  Judah  said, 
What  shall  we  say  unto  my  lord?  what  shall  we 
speak?  or  how  shall  we  clear  ourselves?  God  hath 
found  out  the  iniquity  of  thy  servants :  behold,  we 
are  my  lord's  servants,  both  we,  and  he  also  with 
whom  the  cup  is  found.  And  he  said,  God  forbid 
that  I  should  do  so :  but  the  man  in  whose  hand  the 
cup  is  found,  he  shall  be  my  servant ;  and  as  for  you, 
get  you  up  in  peace  unto  your  father. 

Then  Judah  came  near  unto  him,  and  said, 
Oh  my  lord,  let  thy  servant,  T  pray  thee,  speak 
a  word  in  my  lord's  ears,  and  let  not  thine  anger 
burn  against  thy  servant :  for  them  art  even  as 
Pharaoh.  My  lord  asked  his  servants,  saying, 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  63 

Have  ye  a  father,  or  a  brother?  And  we  said 
unto  my  lord,  We  have  a  father,  an  old  man, 
and  a  child  of  his  old  age,  a  little  one ;  and  his 
brother  is  dead,  and  he  alone  is  left  of  his  mother, 
and  his  father  loveth  him.  And  thou  saidst  unto 
thy  servants,  Bring  him  down  unto  me,  that  I  may 
set  mine  eyes  upon  him.  And  we  said  unto  my 
lord,  The  lad  cannot  leave  his  father ;  for  if  he 
should  leave  his  father,  his  father  would  die.  And 
thou  saidst  unto  thy  servants,  Except  your  youngest 
brother  come  down  with  you,  ye  shall  see  my  face 
no  more.  And  it  came  to  pass  when  we  came  up 
unto  thy  servant  my  father,  we  told  him  the  words 
of  my  lord.  And  our  father  said,  Go  again,  and 
buy  us  a  little  food.  And  we  said.  We  cannot  go 
down :  if  our  youngest  brother  be  with  us,  then  will 
we  go  down :  for  we  may  not  see  the  man's 
face,  except  our  youngest  brother  be  with  us. 
And  thy  servant  my  father  said  unto  us,  Ye 
know  that  my  wife  bare  me  two  sons :  and  the  one 
went  out  from  me,  and  I  said,  Surely  he  is  torn  in 
pieces ;  and  I  saw  him  not  since :  and  if  ye  take  this 
also  from  me,  and  mischief  befall  him,  ye  shall  bring 
down  my  gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave. 
Now  therefore  when  I  come  to  thy  servant  my 
father,  and  the  lad  be  not  with  us ;  seeing  that  his 
life  is  bound  up  in  the  lad's  life ;  it  shall  come  to 
pass,  when  he  seeth  that  the  lad  is  not  with  us,  that 
he  will  die :  and  thy  servants  shall  bring  down  the 
gray  hairs  of  thy  servant  our  father  with  sorrow  to 
the  grave.  For  thy  servant  became  surety  for  the 
lad  unto  my  father,  saying,  If  I  bring  him  not  unto 
thee,  then  I  shall  bear  the  blame  to  my  father  for 


64  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

ever.  Now  therefore,  I  pray  thee,  let  thy  servant 
abide  instead  of  the  lad  a  bondman  to  my  lord ;  and 
let  the  lad  go  up  with  his  brethren.  For  how  shall 
I  go  up  to  my  father,  and  the  lad  be  not  with  me? 
lest  peradventure  I  see  the  evil  that  shall  come  on 
my  father. 

Then  Joseph  could  not  refrain  himself  before  all 
them  that  stood  by  him ;  and  he  cried,  Cause  every 
man  to  go  out  from  me.  And  there  stood  no  man 
with  him,  while  Joseph  made  himself  known  unto 
his  brethren.  And  he  wept  aloud :  and  the  Egyp- 
tians and  the  house  of  Pharaoh  heard.  And  Joseph 
said  unto  his  brethren,  I  am  Joseph ;  doth  my  father 
yet  live  ?  And  his  brethren  could  not  answer  him ; 
for  they  were  troubled  at  his  presence.  And  Joseph 
said  unto  his  brethren,  Come  near  to  me,  I  pray  you. 
And  they  came  near.  And  he  said,  I  am  Joseph 
your  brother,  whom  ye  sold  into  Egypt.  Now 
therefore  be  not  grieved,  nor  angry  with  yourselves, 
that  ye  sold  me  hither :  for  God  did  send  me  before 
you  to  preserve  life.  For  these  two  years  hath  the 
famine  been  in  the  land :  and  yet  there  are  five  years, 
in  the  which  there  shall  neither  be  earing  nor  har- 
vest. And  God  sent  me  before  you  to  preserve  you 
a  posterity  in  the  earth,  and  to  save  your  lives  by  a 
great  deliverance.  So  now  it  was  not  you  that  sent 
me  hither,  but  God :  and  he  hath  made  me  a  father 
to  Pharaoh,  and  lord  of  all  his  house,  and  a  ruler 
throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  Haste  ye,  and  go 
up  to  my  father,  and  say  unto  him,  Thus  saith  thy 
son  Joseph,  God  hath  made  me  lord  of  all  Egypt : 
come  down  unto  me,  tarry  not :  and  them  shalt 
dwell  in  the  land  of  Goshen,  and  them  shalt 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  65 

be  near  unto  me,  thou,  and  thy  children,  and 
thy  children's  children,  and  thy  flocks,  and  thy 
herds,  and  all  that  thou  hast :  and  there  will  I 
nourish  thee ;  for  yet  there  are  five  years  of  famine ; 
lest  thou,  and  thy  household,  and  all  that  thou  hast, 
come  to  poverty.  And,  behold,  your  eyes  see,  and 
the  eyes  of  my  brother  Benjamin,  that  it  is  my 
mouth  that  speaketh  unto  you.  And  ye  shall  tell 
my  father  of  all  my  glory  in  Egypt,  and  of  all  that 
ye  have  seen ;  and  ye  shall  haste  and  bring  down 
my  father  hither.  And  he  fell  upon  his  brother 
Benjamin's  neck,  and  wept;  and  Benjamin  wept 
upon  his  neck.  Moreover  he  kissed  all  his  brethren 
and  wept  upon  them :  and  after  that  his  brethren 
talked  with  him. 

And  the  fame  thereof  was  heard  in  Pharaoh's 
house,  saying,  Joseph's  brethren  are  come :  and 
it  pleased  Pharaoh  well,  and  his  servants.  And 
Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  Say  unto  thy  brethren, 
This  do  ye ;  lade  your  beasts,  and  go,  get  you 
unto  the  land  of  Canaan ;  and  take  your  father 
and  your  households,  and  come  unto  me :  and  I  will 
give  you  the  good  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  ye  shall 
eat  the  fat  of  the  land.  Now  thou  art  commanded, 
this  do  ye ;  take  you  wagons  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt  for  your  little  ones,  and  for  your  wives,  and 
bring  your  father,  and  come.  Also  regard  not  your 
stuff ;  for  the  good  of  all  the  land  of  Egypt  is  yours. 
And  the  children  of  Israel  did  so :  and  Joseph  gave 
them  wagons,  according  to  the  commandment  of 
Pharaoh,  and  gave  them  provision  for  the  way.  To 
all  of  them  he  gave  each  man  changes  of  raiment ; 
but  to  Benjamin  he  gave  three  hundred  pieces  of 


66  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

silver,  and  five  changes  of  raiment.  And  to  his 
father  he  sent  after  this  manner ;  ten  asses  laden 
with  the  good  things  of  Egypt,  and  ten  she  asses 
laden  with  corn  and  bread  and  meat  for  his  father 
by  the  way.  So  he  sent  his  brethren  away,  and 
they  departed:  and  he  said  unto  them,  See  that  ye 
fall  not  out  by  the  way. 

And  they  went  up  out  of  Egypt,  and  came  into 
the  land  of  Canaan  unto  Jacob  their  father,  and 
told  him,  saying,  Joseph  is  yet  alive,  and  he  is  gov- 
ernor over  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  Jacob's  heart 
fainted,  for  he  believed  them  not.  And  they  told 
him  all  the  words  of  Joseph,  which  he  had  said  unto 
them :  and  when  he  saw  the  wagons  which  Joseph 
had  sent  to  carry  him,  the  spirit  of  Jacob  their 
father  revived :  and  Israel  said,  It  is  enough ;  Joseph 
my  son  is  yet  alive :  I  will  go  and  see  him  before 
I  die. 

And  Israel  took  his  journey  with  all  that  he  had, 
and  came  to  Beer-sheba,  and  offered  sacrifices  unto 
the  God  of  his  father  Isaac.  And  God  spake  unto 
Israel  in  the  visions  of  the  night,  and  said,  Jacob, 
Jacob.  And  he  said,  Here  am  I.  And  he  said, 
I  am  God,  the  God  of  thy  father :  fear  not  to  go 
down  into  Egypt;  for  I  will  there  make  of  thee 
a  great  nation :  I  will  go  down  with  thee  into  Egypt ; 
and  I  will  also  surely  bring  thee  up  again :  and 
Joseph  shall  put  his  hand  upon  thine  eyes.  And 
Jacob  rose  up  from  Beer-sheba :  and  the  sons  of 
Israel  carried  Jacob  their  father,  and  their  little 
ones,  and  their  wives,  in  the  wagons  which  Pharaoh 
had  sent  to  carry  him.  And  they  took  their  cattle, 
and  their  goods,  which  they  had  gotten  in  the  land 


JOSEPH  AND  HIS  BRETHREN  67 

of  Canaan,  and  came  into  Egypt,  Jacob,  and  all  his 
seed  with  him :  his  sons,  and  his  sons'  sons  with 
him,  his  daughters,  and  his  sons'  daughters,  and 
all  his  seed  brought  he  with  him  into  Egypt. 

•  •  •  *  • 

And  he  sent  Judah  before  him  unto  Joseph,  to 
direct  his  face  unto  Goshen ;  and  they  came  into 
the  land  of  Goshen.  And  Joseph  made  ready  his 
chariot,  and  went  up  to  meet  Israel  his  father,  to 
Goshen,  and  presented  himself  unto  him ;  and  he 
fell  on  his  neck,  and  wept  on  his  neck  a  good  while. 
And  Israel  said  unto  Joseph,  Now  let  me  die,  since 
I  have  seen  thy  face,  because  thou  art  yet  alive. 
And  Joseph  said  unto  his  brethren,  and  unto  his 
father's  house,  I  will  go  up,  and  shew  Pharaoh,  and 
say  unto  him,  My  brethren,  and  my  father's  house, 
which  were  in  the  land  of  Canaan,  are  come  unto 
me ;  and  the  men  are  shepherds,  for  their  trade  hath 
been  to  feed  cattle ;  and  they  have  brought  their 
flocks,  and  their  herds,  and  all  that  they  have.  And 
it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  Pharaoh  shall  call  you, 
and  shall  say,  What  is  your  occupation  ?  that  ye 
shall  say,  Thy  servants'  trade  hath  been  about  cattle 
from  our  youth  even  until  now,  both  we,  and  also 
our  fathers :  that  ye  may  dwell  in  the  land  of 
Goshen ;  for  every  shepherd  is  an  abomination  unto 
the  Egyptians. 

Then  Joseph  came  and  told  Pharaoh,  and  said, 
My  father  and  my  brethren,  and  their  flocks,  and 
their  herds,  and  all  that  they  have,  are  come  out  of 
the  land  of  Canaan ;  and,  behold,  they  are  in  the 
land  of  Goshen.  And  he  took  some  of  his  brethren, 
even  five  men,  and  presented  them  unto  Pharaoh. 


68  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  his  brethren,  What  is  your 
occupation?  And  they  said  unto  Pharaoh,  Thy 
servants  are  shepherds,  both  we,  and  also  our 
fathers.  They  said  moreover  unto  Pharaoh,  For  to 
sojourn  in  the  land  are  we  come ;  for  thy  servants 
have  no  pasture  for  their  flocks ;  for  the  famine  is 
sore  in  the  land  of  Canaan :  now  therefore,  we  pray 
thee,  let  thy  servants  dwell  in  the  land  of  Goshen. 
And  Pharaoh  spake  unto  Joseph,  saying,  Thy  father 
and  thy  brethren  are  come  unto  thee :  the  land  of 
Egypt  is  before  thee ;  in  the  best  of  the  land  make 
thy  father  and  brethren  to  dwell ;  in  the  land  of 
Goshen  let  them  dwell :  and  if  thou  knowest  any 
men  of  activity  among  them,  then  make  them  rulers 
over  my  cattle.  And  Joseph  brought  in  Jacob  his 
father,  and  set  him  before  Pharaoh :  and  Jacob 
blessed  Pharaoh.  And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Jacob, 
How  old  art  thou?  And  Jacob  said  unto  Pharaoh, 
The  days  of  the  years  of  my  pilgrimage  are  an  hun- 
dred and  thirty  years :  few  and  evil  have  the  days 
of  the  years  of  my  life  been,  and  have  not  attained 
unto  the  days  of  the  years  of  the  life  of  my  fathers 
in  the  days  of  their  pilgrimage.  And  Jacob  blessed 
Pharaoh,  and  went  out  from  before  Pharaoh.  And 
Joseph  placed  his  father  and  his  brethren,  and  gave 
them  a  possession  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  in  the  best 
of  the  land,  in  the  land  of  Rameses,  as  Pharaoh 
had  commanded.  And  Joseph  nourished  his  father, 
and  his  brethren,  and  all  his  father's  household, 
with  bread,  according  to  their  families. 


THE  DEATH  OF  JACOB  AND  JOSEPH         69 

XII. 

XTbe  2>eatb  of  $acob  and  Sosepb. 

Genesis  xlvii.  28— xlviii.;  xlix.  33—!.  3  ;  1.  15-26. 

AND  Jacob  lived  in  the  land  of  Egypt  seventeen 
years :  so  the  whole  age  of  Jacob  was  an  hundred 
forty  and  seven  years.  And  the  time  drew  nigh 
that  Israel  must  die :  and  he  called  his  son  Joseph, 
and  said  unto  him,  If  now  I  have  found  grace  in 
thy  sight,  put,  I  pray  thee,  thy  hand  under  my  thigh, 
and  deal  kindly  and  truly  with  me;  bury  me  not,  I 
pray  thee,  in  Egypt :  but  I  will  lie  with  my  fathers, 
and  thou  shalt  carry  me  out  of  Egypt,  and  bury  me 
in  their  buryingplace.  And  he  said,  I  will  do  as 
thou  hast  said.  And  he  said,  Swear  unto  me.  And 
he  sware  unto  him.  And  Israel  bowed  himself 
upon  the  bed's  head. 

And  it  came  to  pass  after  these  things,  that  one 
told  Joseph,  Behold,  thy  father  is  sick :  and  he  took 
with  him  his  two  sons,  Manasseh  and  Ephraim. 
And  one  told  Jacob,  and  said,  Behold,  thy  son  Joseph 
cometh  unto  thee :  and  Israel  strengthened  himself, 
and  sat  upon  the  bed.  And  Jacob  said  unto  Joseph, 
God  Almighty  appeared  unto  me  at  Luz  in  the  land 
of  Canaan,  and  blessed  me,  and  said  unto  me, 
Behold,  I  will  make  thee  fruitful,  and  multiply  thee, 
and  I  will  make  of  thee  a  multitude  of  people ;  and 
will  give  this  land  to  thy  seed  after  thee  for  an 
everlasting  possession.  And  now  thy  two  sons, 
Ephraim  and  Manasseh,  which  were  born  unto  thee 
in  the  land  of  Egypt  before  I  came  unto  thee  into 


70  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Egypt,  are  mine ;  as  Reuben  and  Simeon,  they  shall 
be  mine.  And  thy  issue,  which  thou  begettest  after 
them,  shall  be  thine,  and  shall  be  called  after  the 
name  of  their  brethren  in  their  inheritance.  And 
as  for  me,  when  I  came  from  Padan,  Rachel  died 
by  me  in  the  land  of  Canaan  in  the  way,  when  yet 
there  was  but  a  little  way  to  come  unto  Ephrath : 
and  I  buried  her  there  in  the  way  of  Ephrath ;  the 
same  is  Beth-lehem.  And  Israel  beheld  Joseph's 
sons,  and  said,  Who  are  these?  And  Joseph  said 
unto  his  father,  They  are  my  sons,  whom  God  hath 
given  me  in  this  place.  And  he  said,  Bring  them, 
I  pray  thee,  unto  me,  and  I  will  bless  them.  Now 
the  eyes  of  Israel  were  dim  for  age,  so  that  he  could 
not  see.  And  he  brought  them  near  unto  him ;  and 
he  kissed  them,  and  embraced  them.  And  Israel 
said  unto  Joseph,  I  had  not  thought  to  see  thy  face : 
and,  lo,  God  hath  shewed  me  also  thy  seed.  And 
Joseph  brought  them  out  from  between  his  knees, 
and  he  bowed  himself  with  his  face  to  the  earth. 
And  Joseph  took  them  both,  Ephraim  in  his  right 
hand  toward  Israel's  left  hand,  and  Manasseh  in 
his  left  hand  toward  Israel's  right  hand,  and  brought 
them  near  unto  him.  And  Israel  stretched  out  his 
right  hand,  and  laid  it  upon  Ephraim's  head,  who 
was  the  younger,  and  his  left  hand  upon  Manasseh's 
head,  guiding  his  hands  wittingly ;  for  Manasseh 
was  the  firstborn. 

And  he  blessed  Joseph,  and  said,  God,  before 
whom  my  fathers  Abraham  and  Isaac  did  walk,  the 
God  which  fed  me  all  my  life  long  unto  this  day, 
the  Angel  which  redeemed  me  from  all  evil,  bless 
the  lads ;  and  let  my  name  be  named  on  them,  and 


THE  DEATH  OP  JACOB  AND  JOSEPH        71 

the  name  of  my  fathers  Abraham  and  Isaac ;  and 
let  them  grow  into  a  multitude  in  the  midst  of  the 
earth.  And  when  Joseph  saw  that  his  father  laid 
his  right  hand  upon  the  head  of  Ephraim,  it  dis- 
pleased him :  and  he  held  up  his  father's  hand,  to 
remove  it  from  Ephraim's  head  unto  Manasseh's 
head.  And  Joseph  said  unto  his  father,  Not  so,  my 
father :  for  this  is  the  firstborn ;  put  thy  right  hand 
upon  his  head.  And  his  father  refused,  and  said, 
I  know  it,  my  son,  I  know  it :  he  also  shall  become 
a  people,  and  he  also  shall  be  great :  but  truly  his 
younger  brother  shall  be  greater  than  he,  and  his 
seed  shall  become  a  multitude  of  nations.  And  he 
blessed  them  that  day,  saying,  In  thee  shall  Israel 
bless,  saying,  God  make  thee  as  Ephraim  and  as 
Manasseh :  and  he  set  Ephraim  before  Manasseh. 
And  Israel  said  unto  Joseph,  Behold,  I  die ;  but  God 
shall  be  with  you,  and  bring  you  again  into  the  land 
of  your  fathers.  Moreover  I  have  given  to  thee 
one  portion  above  thy  brethren,  which  I  took  out  of 
the  hand  of  the  Amorite  with  my  sword  and  with 
my  bow. 


And  when  Jacob  had  made  an  end  of  command- 
ing his  sons,  he  gathered  up  his  feet  into  the  bed, 
and  yielded  up  the  ghost,  and  was  gathered  unto 
his  people.  And  Joseph  fell  upon  his  father's  face, 
and  wept  upon  him,  and  kissed  him.  And  Joseph 
commanded  his  servants  the  physicians  to  embalm 
his  father:  and  the  physicians  embalmed  Israel. 
And  forty  days  were  fulfilled  for  him ;  for  so  are 
fulfilled  the  days  of  those  which  are  embalmed :  and 


72  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  Egyptians  mourned  for  him  threescore  and  ten 
days. 

•  *  •  •  • 

And  when  Joseph's  brethren  saw  that  their  father 
was  dead,  they  said,  Joseph  will  peradventure  hate 
us,  and  will  certainly  requite  us  all  the  evil  which 
we  did  unto  him.  And  they  sent  a  messenger  unto 
Joseph,  saying,  Thy  father  did  command  before  he 
died,  saying,  So  shall  ye  say  unto  Joseph,  Forgive, 
I  pray  thee  now,  the  trespass  of  thy  brethren,  and 
their  sin ;  for  they  did  unto  thee  evil :  and  now,  we 
pray  thee,  forgive  the  trespass  of  the  servants  of  the 
God  of  thy  father.  And  Joseph  wept  when  they 
spake  unto  him.  And  his  brethren  also  went  and 
fell  down  before  his  face ;  and  they  said,  Behold, 
we  be  thy  servants.  And  Joseph  said  unto  them, 
Fear  not :  for  am  I  in  the  place  of  God  ?  But  as 
for  you,  ye  thought  evil  against  me ;  but  God  meant 
it  unto  good,  to  bring  to  pass,  as  it  is  this  day,  to 
save  much  people  alive.  Now  therefore  fear  ye 
not :  I  will  nourish  you,  and  your  little  ones.  And 
he  comforted  them,  and  spake  kindly  unto  them. 

And  Joseph  dwelt  in  Egypt,  he,  and  his  father's 
house:  and  Joseph  lived  an  hundred  and  ten  years. 
And  Joseph  saw  Ephraim's  children  of  the  third 
generation :  the  children  also  of  Machir  the  son  of 
Manasseh  were  brought  up  upon  Joseph's  knees. 
And  Joseph  said  unto  his  brethren,  I  die :  and  God 
will  surely  visit  you,  and  bring  you  out  of  this  land 
unto  the  land  which  he  sware  to  Abraham,  to  Isaac, 
and  to  Jacob.  And  Joseph  took  an  oath  of  the 
children  of  Israel,  saying,  God  will  surely  visit  you, 
and  ye  shall  carry  up  my  bones  from  hence.  So 


MOSES 


73 


Joseph  died,  being  an  hundred  and  ten  years  old  : 
and  they  embalmed  him,  and  he  was  put  in  a  coffin 
in  Egypt. 

XIII. 


Exodus  i.  8-14  ;  ii.  —  iv.  23  ;  iv.  29-31. 

Now  there  arose  up  a  new  king  over  Egypt, 
which  knew  not  Joseph.  And  he  said  unto  his 
people,  Behold,  the  people  of  the  children  of  Israel 
are  more  and  mightier  than  we  :  come  on,  let  us 
deal  wisely  with  them  ;  lest  they  multiply,  and  it 
come  to  pass,  that,  when  there  falleth  out  any  war, 
they  join  also  unto  our  enemies,  and  fight  against 
us,  and  so  get  them  up  out  of  the  land.  Therefore 
they  did  set  over  them  taskmasters  to  afflict  them 
with  their  burdens.  And  they  built  for  Pharaoh 
treasure  cities,  Pithom  and  Raamses.  But  the  more 
they  afflicted  them,  the  more  they  multiplied  and 
grew.  And  they  were  grieved  because  of  the 
children  of  Israel.  And  the  Egyptians  made  the 
children  of  Israel  to  serve  with  rigour  :  and  they 
made  their  lives  bitter  with  hard  bondage,  in  morter, 
and  in  brick,  and  in  all  manner  of  service  in  the 
field  :  all  their  service,  wherein  they  made  them 
serve,  was  with  rigour. 

•  •  »  •  • 

And  there  went  a  man  of  the  house  of  Levi,  and 
took  to  wife  a  daughter  of  Levi.  And  the  woman 
conceived,  and  bare  a  son  :  and  when  she  saw  him 
that  he  was  a  goodly  child,  she  hid  him  three 
months.  And  when  she  could  not  longer  hide  him, 


74  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

she  took  for  him  an  ark  of  bulrushes,  and  daubed 
it  with  slime  and  with  pitch,  and  put  the  child 
therein ;  and  she  laid  it  in  the  flags  by  the  river's 
brink.  And  his  sister  stood  afar  off,  to  wit  what 
would  be  done  to  him.  And  the  daughter  of  Pha- 
raoh came  down  to  wash  herself  at  the  river ;  and 
her  maidens  walked  along  by  the  river's  side ;  and 
when  she  saw  the  ark  among  the  flags,  she  sent  her 
maid  to  fetch  it.  And  when  she  had  opened  it,  she 
saw  the  child :  and,  behold,  the  babe  wept.  And  she 
had  compassion  on  him,  and  said,  This  is  one  of 
the  Hebrews'  children.  Then  said  his  sister  to 
Pharaoh's  daughter,  Shall  I  go  and  call  to  thee  a 
nurse  of  the  Hebrew  women,  that  she  may  nurse 
the  child  for  thee?  And  Pharaoh's  daughter  said 
to  her,  Go.  And  the  maid  went  and  called  the 
child's  mother.  And  Pharaoh's  daughter  said  unto 
her,  Take  this  child  away,  and  nurse  it  for  me,  and 
I  will  give  thee  thy  wages.  And  the  woman  took 
the  child,  and  nursed  it.  And  the  child  grew,  and 
she  brought  him  unto  Pharaoh's  daughter,  and  he 
became  her  son.  And  she  called  his  name  Moses 
[i.e.  "  Drawn  out  "]  :  and  she  said,  Because  I  drew 
him  out  of  the  water. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  those  days,  when  Moses 
was  grown,  that  he  went  out  unto  his  brethren,  and 
looked  on  their  burdens :  and  he  spied  an  Egyptian 
smiting  an  Hebrew,  one  of  his  brethren.  And  he 
looked  this  way  and  that  way,  and  when  he  saw  that 
there  was  no  man,  he  slew  the  Egyptian,  and  hid 
him  in  the  sand.  And  when  he  went  out  the  second 
day,  behold,  two  men  of  the  Hebrews  strove 
together:  and  he  said  to  him  that  did  the  wrong, 


MOSES  75 

Wherefore  smitest  thou  thy  fellow?  And  he  said, 
Who  made  thee  a  prince  and  a  judge  over  us?  in- 
tendest  thou  to  kill  me,  as  thou  killedst  the  Egyp- 
tian? And  Moses  feared,  and  said,  Surely  this 
thing  is  known.  Now  when  Pharaoh  heard  this 
thing,  he  sought  to  slay  Moses.  But  Moses  fled 
from  the  face  of  Pharaoh,  and  d\velt  in  the  land  of 
Midian  :  and  he  sat  down  by  a  well.  Now  the  priest 
of  Midian  had  seven  daughters :  and  they  came  and 
drew  water,  and  filled  the  troughs  to  water  their 
father's  flock.  And  the  shepherds  came  and  drove 
them  away :  but  Moses  stood  up  and  helped  them, 
and  watered  their  flock.  And  when  they  came  to 
Reuel  their  father,  he  said,  How  is  it  that  ye  are 
come  so  soon  to  day?  And  they  said,  An  Egyptian 
delivered  us  out  of  the  hand  of  the  shepherds,  and 
also  drew  water  enough  for  us,  and  watered  the 
flock.  And  he  said  unto  his  daughters,  And  where 
is  he?  why  is  it  that  ye  have  left  the  man?  call  him, 
that  he  may  eat  bread.  And  Moses  was  content  to 
dwell  with  the  man :  and  he  gave  Moses  Zipporah 
his  daughter.  And  she  bare  him  a  son,  and  he 
called  his  name  Gershom  [i.e.  "  A  stranger  here  "]: 
for  he  said,  I  have  been  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  process  of  time,  that  the 
king  of  Egypt  died :  and  the  children  of  Israel 
sighed  by  reason  of  the  bondage,  and  they  cried, 
and  their  cry  came  up  unto  God  by  reason  of  the 
bondage.  And  God  heard  their  groaning,  and  God 
remembered  his  covenant  with  Abraham,  with  Isaac, 
and  with  Jacob.  And  God  looked  upon  the  children 
of  Israel,  and  God  had  respect  unto  them. 

Now  Moses  kept  the  flock  of  Jethro  his  father  in 


76  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

law,  the  priest  of  Midian :  and  he  led  the  flock  to 
the  backside  of  the  desert,  and  came  to  the  moun- 
tain of  God,  even  to  Horeb.  And  the  angel  of  the 
Lord  appeared  unto  him  in  a  flame  of  fire  out  of  the 
midst  of  a  bush :  and  he  looked,  and,  behold,  the 
bush  burned  with  fire,  and  the  bush  was  not 
consumed.  And  Moses  said,  I  will  now  turn 
aside,  and  see  this  great  sight,  why  the  bush 
is  not  burnt.  And  when  the  Lord  saw  that 
he  turned  aside  to  see,,  God  called  unto  him  out  of 
the  midst  of  the  bush,  and  said,  Moses,  Moses.  And 
he  said,  Here  am  I.  And  he  said,  Draw  not  nigh 
hither :  put  off  thy  shoes  from  off  thy  feet,  for  the 
place  whereon  thou  standest  is  holy  ground.  More- 
over he  said,  I  am  the  God  of  thy  father,  the  God 
of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of 
Jacob.  And  Moses  hid  his  face ;  for  he  was  afraid 
to  look  upon  God.  And  the  Lord  said,  I  have  surely 
seen  the  affliction  of  my  people  which  are  in  Egypt, 
and  have  heard  their  cry  by  reason  of  their  task- 
masters ;  for  I  know  their  sorrows ;  and  I  am  come 
down  to  deliver  them  out  of  the  hand  of  the  Egyp- 
tians, and  to  bring  them  up  out  of  that  land  unto 
a  good  land  and  a  large,  unto  a  land  flowing  with 
milk  and  honey ;  unto  the  place  of  the  Canaanites, 
and  the  Hittites,  and  the  Amorites,  and  the  Periz- 
zites,  and  the  Hivites,  and  the  Jebusites.  Now 
therefore,  behold,  the  cry  of  the  children  of  Israel 
is  come  unto  me  :  and  I  have  also  seen  the  oppression 
wherewith  the  Egyptians  oppress  them.  Come  now 
therefore,  and  I  will  send  thee  unto  Pharaoh,  that 
thou  mayest  bring  forth  my  people  the  children  of 
Israel  out  of  Egypt. 


MOSES  77 

And  Moses  said  unto  God,  Who  am  I,  that  I 
should  go  unto  Pharaoh,  and  that  I  should  bring 
forth  the  children  of  Israel  out  of  Egypt?  And 
he  said,  Certainly  I  will  be  with  thee ;  and  this  shall 
be  a  token  unto  thee,  that  I  have  sent  thee :  when 
thou  hast  brought  forth  the  people  out  of  Egypt, 
ye  shall  serve  God  upon  this  mountain.  And  Moses 
said  unto  God,  Behold,  when  I  come  unto  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel,  and  shall  say  unto  them,  The  God 
of  your  fathers  hath  sent  me  unto  you ;  and  they 
shall  say  to  me,  What  is  his  name  ?  what  shall  I  say 
unto  them?  And  God  said  unto  Moses,  I  AM 
THAT  I  AM:  and  he  said,  Thus  shalt  thou  say 
unto  the  children  of  Israel,  I  AM  hath  sent  me  unto 
you.  And  God  said  moreover  unto  Moses,  Thus 
shalt  thou  say  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  The  Lord 
God  of  your  fathers,  the  God  of  Abraham,  the  God 
of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob,  hath  sent  me  unto 
you :  this  is  my  name  for  ever,  and  this  is  my 
memorial  unto  all  generations.  Go,  and  gather  the 
elders  of  Israel  together,  and  say  unto  them,  The 
Lord  God  of  your  fathers,  the  God  of  Abraham,  of 
Isaac,  and  of  Jacob,  appeared  unto  me,  saying,  I 
have  surely  visited  you,  and  seen  that  which  is  done 
to  you  in  Egypt :  and  I  have  said,  I  will  bring  you 
up  out  of  the  affliction  of  Egypt  unto  the  land  of  the 
Canaanites,  and  the  Hittites,  and  the  Amorites,  and 
the  Perizzites,  and  the  Hivites,  and  the  Jebusites, 
unto  a  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey.  And  they 
shall  hearken  to  thy  voice :  and  thou  shalt  come, 
thou  and  the  elders  of  Israel,  unto  the  king  of 
Egypt,  and  ye  shall  say  unto  him,  The  Lord  God 
of  the  Hebrews  hath  met  with  us:  and  now  let  us 


7 8  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

go,  we  beseech  thee,  three  days'  journey  into  the 
wilderness,  that  we  may  sacrifice  to  the  Lord  our 
God.  And  I  am  sure  that  the  king  of  Egypt  will 
not  let  you  go,  no,  not  by  a  mighty  hand.  And  I 
will  stretch  out  my  hand,  and  smite  Egypt  with  all 
my  wonders  which  I  will  do  in  the  midst  thereof : 
and  after  that  he  will  let  you  go.  And  I  will  give 
this  people  favour  in  the  sight  of  the  Egyptians : 
and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that,  when  ye  go,  ye  shall 
not  go  empty :  but  every  woman  shall  borrow  of  her 
neighbour,  and  of  her  that  sojourneth  in  her  house, 
jewels  of  silver,  and  jewels  of  gold,  and  raiment: 
and  ye  shall  put  them  upon  your  sons,  and  upon 
your  daughters ;  and  ye  shall  spoil  the  Egyptians. 

And  Moses  answered  and  said,  But,  behold,  they 
will  not  believe  me,  nor  hearken  unto  my  voice :  for 
they  will  say,  The  Lord  hath  not  appeared  unto 
thee.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  What  is  that 
in  thine  hand?  And  he  said,  A  rod.  And  he  said, 
Cast  it  on  the  ground.  And  he  cast  it  on  the 
ground,  and  it  became  a  serpent ;  and  Moses  fled 
from  before  it.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses, 
Put  forth  thine  hand,  and  take  it  by  the  tail.  And 
he  put  forth  his  hand,  and  caught  it,  and  it  became 
a  rod  in  his  hand :  that  they  may  believe  that  the 
Lord  God  of  their  fathers,  the  God  of  Abraham, 
the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob,  hath  ap- 
peared unto  thee.  And  the  Lord  said  furthermore 
unto  him,  Put  now  thine  hand  into  thy  bosom. 
And  he  put  his  hand  into  his  bosom :  and  when  he 
took  it  out,  behold,  his  hand  was  leprous  as  snow. 
And  he  said,  Put  thine  hand  into  thy  bosom  again. 
And  he  put  his  hand  into  his  bosom  again  ;and  plucked 


MOSES  79 

it  out  of  his  bosom,  and,  behold,  it  was  turned  again 
as  his  other  flesh.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  if 
they  will  not  believe  thee,  neither  hearken  to  the 
voice  of  the  first  sign,  that  they  will  believe  the 
voice  of  the  latter  sign.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass, 
if  they  will  not  believe  also  these  two  signs,  neither 
hearken  unto  thy  voice,  that  thou  shalt  take  of  the 
water  of  the  river,  and  pour  it  upon  the  dry  land : 
and  the  water  which  thou  takest  out  of  the  river 
shall  become  blood  upon  the  dry  land. 

And  Moses  said  unto  the  Lord,  O  my  Lord,  I  am 
not  eloquent,  neither  heretofore,  nor  since  thou  hast 
spoken  unto  thy  servant :  but  I  am  slow  of  speech, 
and  of  a  slow  tongue.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him, 
Who  hath  made  man's  mouth?  or  who  maketh  the 
dumb,  or  deaf,  or  the  seeing,  or  the  blind?  have  not  I 
the  Lord  ?  Now  therefore  go,  and  I  will  be  with  thy 
mouth,  and  teach  thee  what  thou  shalt  say.  And 
he  said,  O  my  Lord,  send,  I  pray  thee,  by  the  hand 
of  him  whom  thou  wilt  send.  And  the  anger  of  the 
Lord  was  kindled  against  Moses,  and  he  said,  Is 
not  Aaron  the  Levite  thy  brother?  I  know  that  he 
can  speak  well.  And  also,  behold,  he  cometh  forth 
to  meet  thee :  and  when  he  seeth  thee,  he  will  be 
glad  in  his  heart.  And  thou  shalt  speak  unto  him, 
and  put  words  in  his  mouth :  and  I  will  be  with  thy 
mouth,  and  with  his  mouth,  and  will  teach  you  what 
ye  shall  do.  And  he  shall  be  thy  spokesman  unto 
the  people :  and  he  shall  be,  even  he  shall  be  to  thee 
instead  of  a  mouth,  and  thou  shalt  be  to  him  instead 
of  God.  And  thou  shalt  take  this  rod  in  thine 
hand,  wherewith  thou  shalt  do  signs. 

And    Moses    went    and    returned    to    Jethro    his 


80  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

father  in  law,  and  said  unto  him,  Let  me  go,  I  pray 
thee,  and  return  unto  my  brethren  which  are  in 
Egypt,  and  see  whether  they  be  yet  alive.  And 
Jethro  said  to  Moses,  Go  in  peace.  And  the  Lord 
said  unto  Moses  in  Midian,  Go,  return  into  Egypt: 
for  all  the  men  are  dead  which  sought  thy  life. 
And  Moses  took  his  wife  and  his  sons,  and  set  them 
upon  an  ass,  and  he  returned  to  the  land  of  Egypt : 
and  Moses  took  the  rod  of  God  in  his  hand.  And 
the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  When  thou  goest  to 
return  into  Egypt,  see  that  thou  do  all  those  wonders 
before  Pharaoh,  which  I  have  put  in  thine  hand : 
but  I  will  harden  his  heart,  that  he  shall  not  let  the 
people  go.  And  thou  shalt  say  unto  Pharaoh,  Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  Israel  is  my  son,  even  my  firstborn : 
and  I  say  unto  thee,  Let  my  son  go,  that  he  may 
serve  me :  and  if  thou  refuse  to  let  him  go,  behold, 
I  will  slay  thy  son,  even  thy  firstborn. 

•  •  •  •  • 

And  Moses  and  Aaron  went  and  gathered  together 
all  the  elders  of  the  children  of  Israel :  and  Aaron 
spake  all  the  words  which  the  Lord  had  spoken 
unto  Moses,  and  did  the  signs  in  the  sight  of  the 
people.  And  the  people  believed :  and  when  they 
heard  that  the  Lord  had  visited  the  children  of 
Israel,  and  that  he  had  looked  upon  their  affliction, 
then  they  bowed  their  heads  and  worshipped. 


THE  OPPRESSION  OF  THE  ISRAELITES      81 


XIV. 

Oppression  of  tbe  Israelites. 

Exodus  v.  —  vi.  13. 

AND  afterward  Moses  and  Aaron  went  in,  and 
told  Pharaoh,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel, 
Let  my  people  go,  that  they  may  hold  a  feast  unto 
me  in  the  wilderness.  And  Pharaoh  said,  Who  is 
the  Lord,  that  I  should  obey  his  voice  to  let  Israel 
go?  I  know  not  the  Lord,  neither  will  I  let  Israel 
go.  And  they  said,  The  God  of  the  Hebrews  hath 
met  with  us  :  let  us  go,  we  pray  thee,  three  days' 
journey  into  the  desert,  and  sacrifice  unto  the  Lord 
our  God  ;  lest  he  fall  upon  us  with  pestilence,  or 
with  the  sword.  And  the  king  of  Egypt  said  unto 
them.  Wherefore  do  ye,  Moses  and  Aaron,  let  [i.e. 
'hinder"]  the  people  from  their  works?  get  you 
unto  your  burdens.  And  Pharaoh  said,  Behold,  the 
people  of  the  land  now  are  many,  and  ye  make  them 
rest  from  their  burdens.  And  Pharaoh  commanded 
the  same  day  the  taskmasters  of  the  people,  and 
their  officers,  saying,  Ye  shall  no  more  give  the 
people  straw  to  make  brick,  as  heretofore  :  let  them 
go  and  gather  straw  for  themselves.  And  the  tale 
of  the  bricks,  which  they  did  make  heretofore,  ye 
shall  lay  upon  them;  ye  shall  not  diminish  ought 
thereof  :  for  they  be  idle  ;  therefore  they  cry,  saying, 
Let  us  go  and  sacrifice  to  our  God.  Let  there  more 
work  be  laid  upon  the  men,  that  they  may  labour 
therein;  and  let  them  not  regard  vain  words. 

And  the  taskmasters  of  the  people  went  out,  and 


82  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

their  officers,  and  they  spake  to  the  people,  saying, 
Thus  saith  Pharaoh,  I  will  not  give  you  straw.  Go 
ye,  get  you  straw  where  ye  can  find  it :  yet  not  ought 
of  your  work  shall  be  diminished.  So  the  people 
were  scattered  abroad  throughout  all  the  land  of 
Egypt  to  gather  stubble  instead  of  straw.  And  the 
taskmasters  hasted  them,  saying,  Fulfil  your  works, 
your  daily  tasks,  as  when  there  was  straw.  And 
the  officers  of  the  children  of  Israel,  which  Pha- 
raoh's taskmasters  had  set  over  them,  were  beaten, 
and  demanded,  Wherefore  have  ye  not  fulfilled  your 
task  in  making  brick  both  yesterday  and  to  day,  as 
heretofore?  Then  the  officers  of  the  children  of 
Israel  came  and  cried  unto  Pharaoh,  saying,  Where- 
fore dealest  thou  thus  with  thy  servants?  There  is 
no  straw  given  unto  thy  servants,  and  they  say  to  us, 
Make  brick :  and,  behold,  thy  servants  are  beaten ; 
but  the  fault  is  in  thine  own  people.  But  he  said, 
Ye  are  idle,  ye  are  idle :  therefore  ye  say,  Let  us 
go  and  do  sacrifice  to  the  Lord.  Go  therefore  now, 
and  work ;  for  there  shall  no  straw  be  given  you, 
yet  shall  ye  deliver  the  tale  of  bricks. 

And  the  officers  of  the  children  of  Israel  did  see 
that  they  were  in  evil  case,  after  it  was  said,  Ye  shall 
not  minish  ought  from  your  bricks  of  your  daily  task. 
And  they  met  Moses  and  Aaron,  who  stood  in  the 
way,  as  they  came  forth  from  Pharaoh :  and  they 
said  unto  them,  The  Lord  look  upon  you,  and  judge ; 
because  ye  have  made  our  savour  to  be  abhorred 
in  the  eyes  of  Pharaoh,  and  in  the  eyes  of  his 
servants,  to  put  a  sword  in  their  hand  to  slay  us. 
And  Moses  returned  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  Lord, 
wherefore  hast  thou  so  evil  entreated  this  people? 


THE  OPPRESSION  OF  THE  ISRAELITES      83 

why  is  it  that  thou  hast  sent  me  ?  For  since  I  came 
to  Pharaoh  to  speak  in  thy  name,  he  hath  done  evil 
to  this  people ;  neither  hast  thou  delivered  thy  people 
at  all. 

Then  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Now  shalt  thou 
see  what  I  will  do  to  Pharaoh :  for  with  a  strong 
hand  shall  he  let  them  go,  and  with  a  strong  hand 
shall  he  drive  them  out  of  his  land.  And  God 
spake  unto  Moses,  and  said  unto  him,  I  am  the 
Lord :  and  I  appeared  unto  Abraham,  unto  Isaac, 
and  unto  Jacob,  by  the  name  of  God  Almighty ;  but 
by  my  name  JEHOVAH  was  I  not  known  to  them. 
And  I  have  also  established  my  covenant  with  them, 
to  give  them  the  land  of  Canaan,  the  land  of  their 
pilgrimage,  wherein  they  were  strangers.  And  I 
have  also  heard  the  groaning  of  the  children  of 
Israel,  whom  the  Egyptians  keep  in  bondage ;  and  I 
have  remembered  my  covenant.  Wherefore  say 
unto  the  children  of  Israel,  I  am  the  Lord,  and  I 
will  bring  you  out  from  under  the  burdens  of  the 
Egyptians,  and  I  will  rid  you  out  of  their  bond- 
age, and  I  will  redeem  you  with  a  stretched  out 
arm,  and  with  great  judgments:  and  I  will  take 
you  to  me  for  a  people,  and  I  will  be  to  you  a  God : 
and  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  your  God, 
which  bringeth  you  out  from  under  the  burdens  of 
the  Egyptians.  And  I  will  bring  you  in  unto  the 
land,  concerning  the  which  I  did  swear  to  give  it  to 
Abraham,  to  Isaac,  and  to  Jacob ;  and  I  will  give  it 
you  for  an  heritage :  I  am  the  Lord. 

And  Moses  spake  so  unto  the  children  of  Israel : 
but  they  hearkened  not  unto  Moses  for  anguish  of 
spirit,  and  for  cruel  bondage.  And  the  Lord  spake 


84  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

unto  Moses,  saying,  Go  in,  speak  unto  Pharaoh 
king  of  Egypt,  that  he  let  the  children  of  Israel  go 
out  of  his  land.  And  Moses  spake  before  the  Lord, 
saying,  Behold,  the  children  of  Israel  have  not 
hearkened  unto  me;  how  then  shall  Pharaoh  hear 
me,  who  am  of  uncircumcised  lips?  And  the  Lord 
spake  unto  Moses  and  unto  Aaron,  and  gave  them 
a  charge  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  and  unto  Pha- 
raoh king  of  Egypt,  to  bring  the  children  of  Israel 
out  of  the  land  of  Egypt. 


XV. 

plagues. 

Exodus  vi.  28 — xii.  41. 

AND  it  came  to  pass  on  the  day  when  the  Lord 
spake  unto  Moses  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  that  the 
Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying,  I  am  the  Lord : 
speak  thou  unto  Pharaoh,  king  of  Egypt,  all  that 
I  say  unto  thee.  And  Moses  said  before  the  Lord, 
Behold,  I  am  of  uncircumcised  lips,  and  how  shall 
Pharaoh  hearken  unto  me?  And  the  Lord  said 
unto  Moses,  See,  I  have  made  thee  a  god  to  Pha- 
raoh :  and  Aaron  thy  brother  shall  be  thy  prophet. 
Thou  shalt  speak  all  that  I  command  thee :  and 
Aaron  thy  brother  shall  speak  unto  Pharaoh,  that 
he  send  the  children  of  Israel  out  of  his  land.  And 
I  will  harden  Pharaoh's  heart,  and  multiply  my 
signs  and  my  wonders  in  the  land  of  Egypt.  But 
Pharaoh  shall  not  hearken  unto  you,  that  I  may  lay 
my  hand  upon  Egypt,  and  bring  forth  mine  armies, 


THE  TEN  PLAGUES  85 

and  my  people  the  children  of  Israel,  out  of  the  land 
of  Egypt  by  great  judgments.  And  the  Egyptians 
shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord,  when  I  stretch  forth 
mine  hand  upon  Egypt,  and  bring  out  the  children 
of  Israel  from  among  them.  And  Moses  and  Aaron 
did  as  the  Lord  commanded  them,  so  did  they.  And 
Moses  was  fourscore  years  old,  and  Aaron  four- 
score and  three  years  old,  when  they  spake  unto 
Pharaoh.  And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses  and 
unto  Aaron,  saying,  when  Pharaoh  shall  speak  unto 
you,  saying,  Shew  a  miracle  for  you :  then  thou 
shalt  say  unto  Aaron,  Take  thy  rod,  and  cast  it 
before  Pharaoh,  and  it  shall  become  a  serpent. 

And  Moses  and  Aaron  went  in  unto  Pharaoh,  and 
they  did  so  as  the  Lord  had  commanded :  and  Aaron 
cast  down  his  rod  before  Pharaoh,  and  before  his 
servants,  and  it  became  a  serpent.  Then  Pharaoh 
also  called  the  wise  men  and  the  sorcerers :  now  the 
magicians  of  Egypt,  they  also  did  in  like  manner 
with  their  enchantments.  For  they  cast  down  every 
man  his  rod,  and  they  became  serpents :  but  Aaron's 
rod  swallowed  up  their  rods.  And  he  hardened 
Pharaoh's  heart,  that  he  hearkened  not  unto  them ; 
as  the  Lord  had  said. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Pharaoh's  heart 
is  hardened,  he  refuseth  to  let  the  people  go.  Get 
thee  unto  Pharaoh  in  the  morning ;  lo,  he  goeth  out 
unto  the  water;  and  thou  shalt  stand  by  the  river's 
brink  against  he  come ;  and  the  rod  which  was 
turned  to  a  serpent  shalt  thou  take  in  thine  hand. 
And  thou  shalt  say  unto  him,  The  Lord  God  of  the 
Hebrews  hath  sent  me  unto  thee,  saying,  Let  my 
people  go,  that  they  may  serve  me  in  the  wilderness : 


86  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and,  behold,  hitherto  thou  wouldest  not  hear.  Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  In  this  thou  shalt  know  that  I  am 
the  Lord :  behold,  I  will  smite  with  the  rod  that  is 
in  mine  hand  upon  the  waters  which  are  in  the 
river,  and  they  shall  be  turned  to  blood.  And  the 
fish  that  is  in  the  river  shall  die,  and  the  river  shall 
stink;  and  the  Egyptians  shall  loathe  to  drink  of  the 
water  of  the  river.  And  the  Lord  spake  unto 
Moses,  Say  unto  Aaron,  Take  thy  rod,  and  stretch 
out  thine  hand  upon  the  waters  of  Egypt,  upon 
their  streams,  upon  their  rivers,  and  upon  their 
ponds,  and  upon  all  their  pools  of  water,  that  they 
may  become  blood;  and  that  there  may  be  blood 
throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt,  both  in  vessels  of 
wood,  and  in  vessels  of  stone. 

And  Moses  and  Aaron  did  so,  as  the  Lord  com- 
manded ;  and  he  lifted  up  the  rod,  and  smote  the 
waters  that  were  in  the  river,  in  the  sight  of 
Pharaoh,  and  in  the  sight  of  his  servants ;  and  all 
the  waters  that  were  in  the  river  were  turned  to 
blood.  And  the  fish  that  was  in  the  river  died ;  and 
the  river  stank,  and  the  Egyptians  could  not  drink  of 
the  water  of  the  river ;  and  there  was  blood  through- 
out all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  the  magicians  of 
Egypt  did  so  with  their  enchantments :  and  Pha- 
raoh's heart  was  hardened,  neither  did  he  hearken 
unto  them ;  as  the  Lord  had  said.  And  Pharaoh 
turned  and  went  into  his  house,  neither  did  he  set 
his  heart  to  this  also.  And  all  the  Egyptians  digged 
round  about  the  river  for  water  to  drink ;  for  they 
could  not  drink  of  the  water  of  the  river.  And 
seven  days  were  fulfilled,  after  that  the  Lord  had 
smitten  the  river. 


THE  TEN  PLAGUES  87 

And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  Go  unto  Pha- 
raoh, and  say  unto  him,  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Let 
my  people  go,  that  they  may  serve  me.  And  if 
thou  refuse  to  let  them  go,  behold,  I  will  smite  all 
thy  borders  with  frogs :  and  the  river  shall  bring 
forth  frogs  abundantly,  which  shall  go  up  and  come 
into  thine  house,  and  into  thy  bedchamber,  and  upon 
thy  bed,  and  into  the  house  of  thy  servants,  and 
upon  thy  people,  and  into  thine  ovens,  and  into  thy 
kneadingtroughs :  and  the  frogs  shall  come  up  both 
on  thee,  and  upon  thy  people,  and  upon  all  thy 
servants.  And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  Say 
unto  Aaron,  Stretch  forth  thine  hand  with  thy  rod 
over  the  streams,  over  the  rivers,  and  over  the 
ponds,  and  cause  frogs  to  come  up  upon  the  land 
of  Egypt.  And  Aaron  stretched  out  his  hand  over 
the  waters  of  Egypt;  and  the  frogs  came  up,  and 
covered  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  the  magicians  did 
so  with  their  enchantments,  and  brought  up  frogs 
upon  the  land  of  Egypt. 

Then  Pharaoh  called  for  Moses  and  Aaron,  and 
said,  Intreat  the  Lord,  that  he  may  take  away  the 
frogs  from  me,  and  from  my  people ;  and  I  will  let 
the  people  go,  that  they  may  do  sacrifice  unto  the 
Lord.  And  Moses  said  unto  Pharaoh,  Glory  over 
me :  when  shall  I  intreat  for  thee,  and  for  thy  serv- 
ants, and  for  thy  people,  to  destroy  the  frogs  from 
thee  and  thy  houses,  that  they  may  remain  in  the 
river  only?  And  he  said,  To  morrow.  And  he  said, 
Be  it  according  to  thy  word :  that  thou  mayest  know 
that  there  is  none  like  unto  the  Lord  our  God.  And 
the  frogs  shall  depart  from  thee,  and  from  thy 
houses,  and  from  thy  servants,  and  from  thy  people ; 


88  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

they  shall  remain  in  the  river  only.  And  Moses 
and  Aaron  went  out  from  Pharaoh:  and  Moses 
cried  unto  the  Lord  because  of  the  frogs  which  he 
had  brought  against  Pharaoh.  And  the  Lord  did 
according  to  the  word  of  Moses ;  and  the  frogs  died 
out  of  the  houses,  out  of  the  villages,  and  out  of  the 
fields.  And  they  gathered  them  together  upon 
heaps :  and  the  land  stank.  But  when  Pharaoh  saw 
that  there  was  respite,  he  hardened  his  heart,  and 
hearkened  not  unto  them ;  as  the  Lord  had  said. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Say  unto  Aaron, 
Stretch  out  thy  rod,  and  smite  the  dust  of  the  land, 
that  it  may  become  lice  throughout  all  the  land  of 
Egypt.  And  they  did  so;  for  Aaron  stretched  out 
his  hand  with  his  rod,  and  smote  the  dust  of  the 
earth,  and  it  became  lice  in  man,  and  in  beast ;  all 
the  dust  of  the  land  became  lice  throughout  all  the 
land  of  Egypt.  And  the  magicians  did  so  with  their 
enchantments  to  bring  forth  lice,  but  they  could  not : 
so  there  were  lice  upon  man,  and  upon  beast.  Then 
the  magicians  said  unto  Pharaoh,  This  is  the  finger 
of  God :  and  Pharaoh's  heart  was  hardened,  and  he 
hearkened  not  unto  them ;  as  the  Lord  had  said. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Rise  up  early  in 
the  morning,  and  stand  before  Pharaoh;  lo,  he 
cometh  forth  to  the  water ;  and  say  unto  him,  Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  Let  my  people  go,  that  they  may 
serve  me.  Else,  if  thou  wilt  not  let  my  people  go, 
behold,  I  will  send  swarms  of  flies  upon  thee,  and 
upon  thy  servants,  and  upon  thy  people,  and  into  thy 
houses :  and  the  houses  of  the  Egyptians  shall  be  full 
of  swarms  of  flies,  and  also  the  ground  whereon 
they  are.  And  I  will  sever  in  that  day  the  land 


THE  TEN  PLAGUES  89 

of  Goshen,  in  which  my  people  dwell,  that  no 
swarms  of  flies  shall  be  there ;  to  the  end  thou  mayest 
know  that  I  am  the  Lord  in  the  midst  of  the  earth. 
And  I  will  put  a  division  between  my  people  and 
thy  people :  to  morrow  shall  this  sign  be.  And  the 
Lord  did  so ;  and  there  came  a  grievous  swarm  of 
flies  into  the  house  of  Pharaoh,  and  into  his  serv- 
ants' houses,  and  into  all  the  land  of  Egypt :  the  land 
was  corrupted  by  reason  of  the  swarm  of  flies. 
And  Pharaoh  called  for  Moses  and  for  Aaron, 
and  said,  Go  ye,  sacrifice  to  your  God  in  the  land. 
And  Moses  said,  It  is  not  meet  so  to  do ;  for  we 
shall  sacrifice  the  abomination  of  the  Egyptians  to 
the  Lord  our  God :  lo,  shall  we  sacrifice  the 
abomination  of  the  Egyptians  before  their  eyes, 
and  will  they  not  stone  us?  We  will  go  three 
days'  journey  into  the  wilderness,  and  sacrifice 
to  the  Lord  our  God,  as  he  shall  command  us.  And 
Pharaoh  said,  I  will  let  you  go,  that  ye  may  sacrifice 
to  the  Lord  your  God  in  the  wilderness ;  only  ye 
shall  not  go  very  far  away :  intreat  for  me.  And 
Moses  said,  Behold,  I  go  out  from  thee,  and  I  will 
intreat  the  Lord  that  the  swarms  of  flies  may  depart 
from  Pharaoh,  from  his  servants,  and  from  his  peo- 
ple, to  morrow :  but  let  not  Pharaoh  deal  deceitfully 
any  more  in  not  letting  the  people  go  to  sacrifice  to 
the  Lord.  And  Moses  went  out  from  Pharaoh,  and 
intreated  the  Lord.  And  the  Lord  did  according 
to  the  word  of  Moses ;  and  he  removed  the  swarms 
of  flies  from  Pharaoh,  from  his  servants,  and  from 
his  people;  there  remained  not  one.  And  Pharaoh 
hardened  his  heart  at  this  time  also,  neither  would 
he  let  the  people  go. 


90  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Then  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Go  in  unto  Pha- 
raoh, and  tell  him,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  the 
Hebrews,  Let  my  people  go,  that  they  may  serve  me. 
For  if  thou  refuse  to  let  them  go,  and  wilt  hold  them 
still,  behold,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  upon  thy  cattle 
which  is  in  the  field,  upon  the  horses,  upon  the  asses, 
upon  the  camels,  upon  the  oxen,  and  upon  the  sheep : 
there  shall  be  a  very  grievous  murrain.  And  the 
Lord  shall  sever  between  the  cattle  of  Israel  and 
the  cattle  of  Egypt:  and  there  shall  nothing  die  of 
all  that  is  the  children's  of  Israel.  And  the  Lord 
appointed  a  set  time,  saying,  To  morrow  the  Lord 
shall  do  this  thing  in  the  land.  And  the  Lord  did 
that  thing  on  the  morrow,  and  all  the  cattle  of  Egypt 
died :  but  of  the  cattle  of  the  children  of  Israel  died 
not  one.  And  Pharaoh  sent,  and,  behold,  there  was 
not  one  of  the  cattle  of  the  Israelites  dead.  And  the 
heart  of  Pharaoh  was  hardened,  and  he  did  not  let 
the  people  go. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses  and  unto  Aaron, 
Take  to  you  handfuls  of  ashes  of  the  furnace,  and 
let  Moses  sprinkle  it  toward  the  heaven  in  the  sight 
of  Pharaoh.  And  it  shall  become  small  dust  in  all 
the  land  of  Egypt,  and  shall  be  a  boil  breaking  forth 
with  blains  upon  man,  and  upon  beast,  throughout 
all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  they  took  ashes  of  the 
furnace,  and  stood  before  Pharaoh ;  and  Moses 
sprinkled  it  up  toward  heaven ;  and  it  became  a  boil 
breaking  forth  with  blains  upon  man,  and  upon 
beast.  And  the  magicians  could  not  stand  before 
Moses  because  of  the  boils;  for  the  boil  was  upon 
the  magicians,  and  upon  all  the  Egyptians.  And  the 
Lord  hardened  the  heart  of  Pharaoh,  and  he  heark- 


THE  TEN  PLAGUES  gi 

ened  not  unto  them;  as  the  Lord  had  spoken  unto 
Moses. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Rise  up  early  in 
the  morning-,  and  stand  before  Pharaoh,  and  say 
unto  him,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  the  Hebrews, 
Let  my  people  go,  that  they  may  serve  me.  For  I 
will  at  this  time  send  all  my  plagues  upon  thine 
heart,  and  upon  thy  servants,  and  upon  thy  people ; 
that  thou  mayest  know  that  there  is  none  like  me  in 
all  the  earth.  For  now  I  will  stretch  out  my  hand, 
that  I  may  smite  thee  and  thy  people  with  pesti- 
lence ;  and  thou  shalt  be  cut  off  from  the  earth. 
And  in  very  deed  for  this  cause  have  I  raised  thee 
up,  for  to  shew  in  thee  my  power ;  and  that  my  name 
may  be  declared  throughout  all  the  earth.  As  yet 
exaltest  thou  thyself  against  my  people,  that  thou 
wilt  not  let  them  go?  Behold,  to  morrow  about 
this  time  I  will  cause  it  to  rain  a  very  grievous  hail, 
such  as  hath  not  been  in  Egypt  since  the  founda- 
tion thereof  even  until  now.  Send  therefore  now, 
and  gather  thy  cattle,  and  all  that  thou  hast  in  the 
field ;  for  upon  every  man  and  beast  which  shall  be 
found  in  the  field,  and  shall  not  be  brought  home, 
the  hail  shall  come  down  upon  them,  and  they  shall 
die.  He  that  feared  the  word  of  the  Lord  among 
the  servants  of  Pharaoh  made  his  servants  and  his 
cattle  flee  into  the  houses :  and  he  that  regarded  not 
the  word  of  the  Lord  left  his  servants  and  his  cattle 
in  the  field. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Stretch  forth  thine 
hand  toward  heaven,  that  there  may  be  hail  in  all 
the  land  of  Egypt,  upon  man,  and  upon  beast,  and 
upon  every  herb  of  the  field,  throughout  the  land  of 


92  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Egypt.  And  Moses  stretched  forth  his  rod  toward 
heaven:  and  the  Lord  sent  thunder  and  hail,  and 
the  fire  ran  along  upon  the  ground ;  and  the  Lord 
rained  hail  upon  the  land  of  Egypt.  So  there  was 
hail,  and  fire  mingled  with  the  hail,  very  grievous, 
such  as  there  was  none  like  it  in  all  the  land  of 
Egypt  since  it  became  a  nation.  And  the  hail  smote 
throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt  all  that  was  in  the 
field,  both  man  and  beast;  and  the  hail  smote  every 
herb  of  the  field,  and  brake  every  tree  of  the  field. 
Only  in  the  land  of  Goshen,  where  the  children  of 
Israel  were,  was  there  no  hail. 

And  Pharaoh  sent,  and  called  for  Moses  and 
Aaron,  and  said  unto  them,  I  have  sinned  this  time : 
the  Lord  is  righteous,  and  I  and  my  people  are 
wicked.  Intreat  the  Lord  (for  it  is  enough)  that 
there  be  no  more  mighty  thunderings  and  hail ;  and 
I  will  let  you  go,  and  ye  shall  stay  no  longer.  And 
Moses  said  unto  him,  As  soon  as  I  am  gone  out  of 
the  city,  I  will  spread  abroad  my  hands  unto  the 
Lord ;  and  the  thunder  shall  cease,  neither  shall  there 
be  any  more  hail ;  that  them  mayest  know  how  that  the 
earth  is  the  Lord's.  But  as  for  thee  and  thy  serv- 
ants, I  know  that  ye  will  not  yet  fear  the  Lord  God. 
And  the  flax  and  the  barley  was  smitten :  for  the  bar- 
ley was  in  the  ear,  and  the  flax  was  boiled.  But  the 
wheat  and  the  rie  were  not  smitten :  for  they  were 
not  grown  up.  And  Moses  went  out  of  the  city 
from  Pharaoh,  and  spread  abroad  his  hands  unto 
the  Lord :  and  the  thunders  and  hail  ceased,  and  the 
rain  was  not  poured  upon  the  earth.  And  when 
Pharaoh  saw  that  the  rain  and  the  hail  and  the 
thunders  were  ceased,  he  sinned  yet  more,  and  hard- 


THE  TEN  PLAGUES  93 

ened  his  heart,  he  and  his  servants.  And  the  heart 
of  Pharaoh  was  hardened,  neither  would  he  let  the 
children  of  Israel  go;  as  the  Lord  had  spoken  by 
Moses. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Go  in  unto  Pha- 
raoh :  for  I  have  hardened  his  heart,  and  the  heart 
of  his  servants,  that  I  might  shew  these  my  signs 
before  him :  and  that  thou  mayest  tell  in  the  ears  of 
thy  son,  and  of  thy  son's  son,  what  things  I  have 
wrought  in  Egypt,  and  my  signs  which  I  have  done 
among  them ;  that  ye  may  know  how  that  I  am  the 
Lord.  And  Moses  and  Aaron  came  in,  unto  Pha- 
raoh, and  said  unto  him,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God 
of  the  Hebrews,  How  long  will  thou  refuse  to 
humble  thyself  before  me?  let  my  people  go,  that 
they  may  serve  me.  Else,  if  thou  refuse  to  let  my 
people  go,  behold,  to  morrow  will  I  bring  the  locusts 
into  thy  coast :  and  they  shall  cover  the  face  of  the 
earth,  that  one  cannot  be  able  to  see  the  earth :  and 
they  shall  eat  the  residue  of  that  which  is  escaped, 
which  remaineth  unto  you  from  the  hail,  and  shall 
eat  every  tree  which  groweth  for  you  out  of  the 
field :  and  they  shall  fill  thy  houses,  and  the  houses 
of  all  thy  servants,  and  the  houses  of  all  the  Egyp- 
tians ;  which  neither  thy  fathers,  nor  thy  fathers' 
fathers  have  seen,  since  the  day  that  they  were  upon 
the  earth  unto  this  day.  And  he  turned  himself,  and 
went  out  from  Pharaoh.  And  Pharaoh's  servants 
said  unto  him,  How  long  shall  this  man  be  a  snare 
unto  us?  let  the  men  go,  that  they  may  serve  the 
Lord  their  God:  knowest  thou  not  yet  that  Egypt 
is  destroyed?  And  Moses  and  Aaron  were  brought 
again  unto  Pharaoh :  and  he  said  unto  them,  Go, 


94  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

serve  the  Lord  your  God :  but  who  are  they  that 
shall  go?  And  Moses  said,  We  will  go  with  our 
young  and  with  our  old,  with  our  sons  and  with  our 
daughters,  with  our  flocks  and  with  our  herds  will 
we  go ;  for  we  must  hold  a  feast  unto  the  Lord. 
And  he  said  unto  them,  Let  the  Lord  be  so  with  you, 
as  I  will  let  you  go,  and  your  little  ones :  look  to  it ; 
for  evil  is  before  you.  Not  so:  go  now  ye  that  are 
men,  and  serve  the  Lord;  for  that  ye  did  desire. 
And  they  were  driven  out  from  Pharaoh's  presence. 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Stretch  out  thine 
hand  over  the  land  of  Egypt  for  the  locusts,  that 
they  may  come  up  upon  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  eat 
every  herb  of  the  land,  even  all  that  the  hail  hath 
left.  And  Moses  stretched  forth  his  rod  over  the 
land  of  Egypt,  and  the  Lord  brought  an  east  wind 
upon  the  land  all  that  day,  and  all  that  night ;  and 
when  it  was  morning,  the  east  wind  brought  the 
locusts.  And  the  locusts  went  up  over  all  the  land 
of  Egypt,  and  rested  in  all  the  coasts  of  Egypt :  very 
grievous  were  they ;  before  them  there  were  no  such 
locusts  as  they,  neither  after  them  shall  be  such. 
For  they  covered  the  face  of  the  whole  earth,  so 
that  the  land  was  darkened ;  and  they  did  eat  every 
herb  of  the  land,  and  all  the  fruit  of  the  trees  which 
the  hail  had  left :  and  there  remained  not  any  green 
thing  in  the  trees,  or  in  the  herbs  of  the  field,  through 
all  the  land  of  Egypt.  Then  Pharaoh  called  for 
Moses  and  Aaron  in  haste ;  and  he  said,  I  have 
sinned  against  the  Lord  your  God,  and  against  you. 
Now  therefore  forgive,  I  pray  thee,  my  sin  only  this 
once,  and  intreat  the  Lord  your  God,  that  he  may 
take  away  from  me  this  death  only.  And  he  went 


THE  TEN  PLAGUES  95 

out  from  Pharaoh,  and  intreated  the  Lord.  And 
the  Lord  turned  a  mighty  strong  west  wind,  which 
took  away  the  locusts,  and  cast  them  into  the  Red 
sea;  there  remained  not  one  locust  in  all  the  coasts 
of  Egypt.  But  the  Lord  hardened  Pharaoh's  heart, 
so  that  he  would  not  let  the  children  of  Israel  go. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Stretch  out  thine 
hand  toward  heaven,  that  there  may  be  darkness 
over  the  land  of  Egypt,  even  darkness  which  may  be 
felt.  And  Moses  stretched  forth  his  hand  toward 
heaven ;  and  there  was  a  thick  darkness  in  all  the 
land  of  Egypt  three  days :  they  saw  not  one  an- 
other, neither  rose  any  from  his  place  for  three 
days :  but  all  the  children  of  Israel  had  light  in  their 
dwellings.  And  Pharaoh  called  unto  Moses,  and 
said,  Go  ye,  serve  the  Lord ;  only  let  your  flocks  and 
your  herds  be  stayed :  let  your  little  ones  also  go 
with  you.  And  Moses  said,  Thou  must  give  us 
also  sacrifices  and  burnt  offerings,  that  we  may  sac- 
rifice unto  the  Lord  our  God.  Our  cattle  also  shall 
go  with  us ;  there  shall  not  an  hoof  be  left  behind ; 
for  thereof  must  we  take  to  serve  the  Lord  our  God ; 
and  we  know  not  with  what  we  must  serve  the  Lord, 
until  we  come  thither.  But  the  Lord  hardened  Pha- 
raoh's heart,  and  he  would  not  let  them  go.  And 
Pharaoh  said  unto  him,  Get  thee  from  me,  take  heed 
to  thyself,  see  my  face  no  more;  for  in  that  day 
thou  seest  my  face  thou  shalt  die.  And  Moses  said, 
Thou  hast  spoken  well,  I  will  see  thy  face  again 
no  more. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Yet  will  I  bring 
one  plague  more  upon  Pharaoh,  and  upon  Egypt  ; 
afterwards  he  will  let  you  go  hence :  when  he  shall 


96  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

let  you  go,  he  shall  surely  thrust  you  out  hence  alto- 
gether. Speak  now  in  the  ears  of  the  people,  and  let 
every  man  borrow  of  his  neighbour,  and  every 
woman  of  her  neighbour,  jewels  of  silver,  and 
jewels  of  gold.  And  the  Lord  gave  the  peo- 
ple favour  in  the  sight  of  the  Egyptians.  More- 
over the  man  Moses  was  very  great  in  the  land 
of  Egypt,  in  the  sight  of  Pharaoh's  servants,  and  in 
the  sight  of  the  people.  And  Moses  said,  Thus  saith 
the  Lord,  About  midnight  will  I  go  out  into  the 
midst  of  Egypt :  and  all  the  firstborn  in  the  land  of 
Egypt  shall  die,  from  the  firstborn  of  Pharaoh  that 
sitteth  upon  his  throne,  even  unto  the  firstborn  of  the 
maidservant  that  is  behind  the  mill;  and  all  the 
firstborn  of  beasts.  And  there  shall  be  a  great  cry 
throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt,  such  as  there  was 
none  like  it,  nor  shall  be  like  it  any  more.  But 
against  any  of  the  children  of  Israel  shall  not  a  dog 
move  his  tongue,  against  man  or  beast :  that  ye  may 
know  how  that  the  Lord  doth  put  a  difference  be- 
tween the  Egyptians  and  Israel.  And  all  these  thy 
servants  shall  come  down  unto  me,  and  bow 
down  themselves  unto  me,  saying,  Get  thee  out, 
and  all  the  people  that  follow  thee:  and  after 
that  I  will  go  out.  And  he  went  out  from  Pharaoh 
in  a  great  anger.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses, 
Pharaoh  shall  not  hearken  unto  you ;  that  my  won- 
ders may  be  multiplied  in  the  land  of  Egypt.  And 
Moses  and  Aaron  did  all  these  wonders  before  Pha- 
raoh:  and  the  Lord  hardened  Pharaoh's  heart,  so 
that  he  would  not  let  the  children  of  Israel  go  out 
of  his  land. 

And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses  and  Aaron  in 


THE  TEN  PLAGUES  97 

the  land  of  Egypt,  saying,  This  month  shall  be  unto 
you  the  beginning  of  months :  it  shall  be  the  first 
month  of  the  year  to  you.  Speak  ye  unto  all  the 
congregation  of  Israel,  saying,  In  the  tenth  day  of 
this  month  they  shall  take  to  them  every  man  a 
lamb,  according  to  the  house  of  their  fathers,  a 
lamb  for  an  house :  and  if  the  household  be  too  little 
for  the  lamb,  let  him  and  his  neighbour  next  unto 
his  house  take  it  according  to  the  number  of  the 
souls ;  every  man  according  to  his  eating  shall  make 
your  count  for  the  lamb.  Your  lamb  shall  be  with- 
out blemish,  a  male  of  the  first  year :  ye  shall  take 
it  out  from  the  sheep,  or  from  the  goats :  and  ye 
shall  keep  it  up  until  the  fourteenth  day  of  the 
same  month :  and  the  whole  assembly  of  the  congre- 
gation of  Israel  shall  kill  it  in  the  evening.  And 
they  shall  take  of  the  blood,  and  strike  it  on  the 
two  side  posts  and  on  the  upper  door  post  of  the 
houses,  wherein  they  shall  eat  it.  And  they  shall 
eat  the  flesh  in  that  night,  roast  with  fire.,  and  un- 
leavened bread ;  and  with  bitter  herbs  they  shall  eat 
it.  Eat  not  of  it  raw,  nor  sodden  at  all  with  water, 
but  roast  with  fire ;  his  head  with  his  legs,  and  with 
the  purtenance  thereof.  And  ye  shall  let  nothing  of 
it  remain  until  the  morning;  and  that  which  re- 
maineth  of  it  until  the  morning  ye  shall  burn  with 
fire.  And  thus  shall  ye  eat  it ;  with  your  loins 
girded,  your  shoes  on  your  feet,  and  your  staff  in 
your  hand ;  and  ye  shall  eat  it  in  haste :  it  is  the 
Lord's  passover.  For  I  will  pass  through  the  land 
of  Egypt  this  night,  and  will  smite  all  the  firstborn 
in  the  land  of  Egypt,  both  man  and  beast;  and 
against  all  the  gods  of  Egypt  I  will  execute  judg- 


98  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

ment :  I  am  the  Lord.  And  the  blood  shall  be  to  you 
for  a  token  upon  the  houses  where  ye  #re :  and 
when  I  see  the  blood,  I  will  pass  over  you,  and  the 
plague  shall  not  be  upon  you  to  destroy  you,  when 
I  smite  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  this  day  shall 
be  unto  you  for  a  memorial ;  and  ye  shall  keep 
it  a  feast  to  the  Lord  throughout  your  gener- 
ations ;  ye  shall  keep  it  a  feast  by  an  ordinance 
for  ever.  Seven  days  shall  ye  eat  unleavened 
bread;  even  the  first  day  ye  shall  put  away 
leaven  out  of  your  houses :  for  whosoever  eat- 
eth  leavened  bread  from  the  first  day  until  the 
seventh  day,  that  soul  shall  be  cut  of!  from  Israel. 
And  in  the  first  day  there  shall  be  an  holy  convoca- 
tion, and  in  the  seventh  day  there  shall  be  an  holy 
convocation  to  you ;  no  manner  of  work  shall  be 
done  in  them,  save  that  which  every  man  must  eat, 
that  only  may  be  done  of  you.  And  ye  shall  observe 
the  feast  of  unleavened  bread;  for  in  this  selfsame 
day  have  I  brought  your  armies  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt:  therefore  shall  ye  observe  this  day  in  your 
generations  by  an  ordinance  for  ever.  In  the  first 
month,  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  month  at  even, 
ye  shall  eat  unleavened  bread,  until  the  one  and 
twentieth  day  of  the  month  at  even.  Seven  days 
shall  there  be  no  leaven  found  in  your  houses :  for 
whosoever  eateth  that  which  is  leavened,  even  that 
soul  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  congregation  of  Israel, 
whether  he  be  a  stranger,  or  born  in  the  land.  Ye 
shall  eat  nothing  leavened;  in  all  your  habitations 
shall  ye  eat  unleavened  bread. 

Then  Moses  called  for  all  the  elders  of  Israel, 
and   said   unto  them,   Draw   out  and   take  you   a 


THE  TEN  PLAGUES 


99 


lamb  according  to  your  families,  and  kill  the 
passover.  And  ye  shall  take  a  bunch  of  hyssop, 
and  dip  it  in  the  blood  that  is  in  the  bason,  and 
strike  the  lintel  and  the  two  side  posts  with  the 
blood  that  is  in  the  bason ;  and  none  of  you  shall 
go  out  at  the  door  of  his  house  until  the  morning. 
For  the  Lord  will  pass  through  to  smite  the  Egyp- 
tians; and  when  he  seeth  the  blood  upon  the  lintel, 
and  on  the  two  side  posts,  the  Lord  will  pass  over 
the  door,  and  will  not  suffer  the  destroyer  to  come 
in  unto  your  houses  to  smite  you.  And  ye  shall  ob- 
serve this  thing  for  an  ordinance  to  thee  and  to  thy 
sons  for  ever.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  ye 
be  come  to  the  land  which  the  Lord  will  give  you, 
according  as  he  hath  promised,  that  ye  shall  keep 
this  service.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  your 
children  shall  say  unto  you,  What  mean  ye  by  this 
service?  that  ye  shall  say,  It  is  the  sacrifice  of  the 
Lord's  passover,  who  passed  over  the  houses  of  the 
children  of  Israel  in  Egypt,  when  he  smote  the 
Egyptians,  and  delivered  our  houses.  And  the  peo- 
ple bowed  the  head  and  worshipped.  And  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  went  away,  and  did  as  the  Lord  had 
commanded  Moses  and  Aaron,  so  did  they. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  that  at  midnight  the  Lord 
smote  all  the  firstborn  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  from 
the  firstborn  of  Pharaoh  that  sat  on  his  throne 
unto  the  firstborn  of  the  captive  that  was  in  the 
dungeon;  and  all  the  firstborn  of  cattle.  And 
Pharaoh  rose  up  in  the  night,  he,  and  all  his  serv- 
ants, and  all  the  Egyptians ;  and  there  was  a  great 
cry  in  Egypt ;  for  there  was  not  a  house  where  there 
was  not  one  dead.  And  he  called  for  Moses  and 


ioo  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Aaron  by  night,  and  said,  Rise  up,  and  get  you  forth 
from  among  my  people,  both  ye  and  the  children  of 
Israel;  and  go,  serve  the  Lord,  as  ye  have  said. 
Also  take  your  flocks  and  your  herds,  as  ye  have 
said,  and  be  gone ;  and  bless  me  also.  And  the 
Egyptians  were  urgent  upon  the  people,  that  they 
might  send  them  out  of  the  land  in  haste;  for  they 
said,  We  be  all  dead  men. 

And  the  people  took  their  dough  before  it 
was  leavened,  their  kneadingtroughs  being  bound 
up  in  their  clothes  upon  their  shoulders.  And 
the  children  of  Israel  did  according  to  the 
word  of  Moses;  and  they  borrowed  of  the  Egyp- 
tians jewels  of  silver,  and  jewels  of  gold,  and 
raiment :  and  the  Lord  gave  the  people  favour 
in  the  sight  of  the  Egyptians,  so  that  they  lent  unto 
them  such  things  as  they  required.  And  they  spoiled 
the  Egyptians.  And  the  children  of  Israel  jour- 
neyed from  Rameses  to  Succoth,  about  six  hundred 
thousand  on  foot  that  were  men,  beside  children. 
And  a  mixed  multitude  went  up  also  with  them; 
and  flocks,  and  herds,  even  very  much  cattle.  And 
they  baked  unleavened  cakes  of  the  dough  which 
they  brought  forth  out  of  Egypt,  for  it  was  not 
leavened ;  because  they  were  thrust  out  of  Egypt, 
and  could  not  tarry,  neither  had  they  prepared  for 
.themselves  any  victual. 

Now  the  sojourning  of  the  children  of  Israel,  who 
dwelt  in  Egypt,  was  four  hundred  and  thirty  years. 
And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  end  of  the  four  hundred 
and  thirty  years,  even  the  selfsame  day  it  came  to 
pass,  that  all  the  hosts  of  the  Lord  went  out  from 
the  land  of  Egypt. 


THE  PASSAGE  OF  THE  RED  SEA          101 


XVI. 
passage  of  tbe  IRefc  Sea* 

Exodus  xiii.  17  —  xiv. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  when  Pharaoh  had  let  the 
people  go,  that  God  led  them  not  through  the  way 
of  the  land  of  the  Philistines,  although  that  was 
near;  for  God  said,  Lest  peradventure  the  people 
repent  when  they  see  war,  and  they  return  to  Egypt  : 
but  God  led  the  people  about,  through  the  way  of 
the  wilderness  of  the  Red  sea  :  and  the  children  of 
Israel  went  up  harnessed  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt. 
And  Moses  took  the  bones  of  Joseph  with  him  :  for 
he  had  straitly  sworn  the  children  of  Israel,  saying, 
God  will  surely  visit  you  ;  and  ye  shall  carry  up  my 
bones  away  hence  with  you.  And  they  took  their 
journey  from  Succoth,  and  encamped  in  Etham,  in 
the  edge  of  the  wilderness.  And  the  Lord  went 
before  them  by  day  in  a  pillar  of  a  cloud,  to  lead 
them  the  way;  and  by  night  in  a  pillar  of  fire,  to 
give  them  light  ;  to  go  by  day  and  night  :  he  took 
not  away  the  pillar  of  the  cloud  by  day,  nor  the 
pillar  of  fire  by  night,  from  before  the  people. 

And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying,  Speak 
unto  the  children  of  Israel,  that  they  turn  and 
encamp  before  Pi-hahiroth,  between  Migdol  and  the 
sea,  over  against  Baal-zephon  :  before  it  shall  ye 
encamp  by  the  sea.  For  Pharaoh  will  say  of  the 
children  of  Israel,  They  are  entangled  in  the  land, 
the  wilderness  hath  shut  them  in.  And  I  will 
harden  Pharaoh's  heart,  that  he  shall  follow  after 


102  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

them ;  and  I  will  be  honoured  upon  Pharaoh,  and 
upon  all  his  host ;  that  the  Egyptians  may  know  that 
I  am  the  Lord.  And  they  did  so. 

And  it  was  told  the  king  of  Egypt  that  the  people 
fled :  and  the  heart  of  Pharaoh  and  of  his  servants 
was  turned  against  the  people,  and  they  said,  Why 
have  we  done  this,  that  we  have  let  Israel  go  from 
serving  us?  And  he  made  ready  his  chariot,  and 
took  his  people  with  him :  and  he  took  six  hundred 
chosen  chariots,  and  all  the  chariots  of  Egypt,  and 
captains  over  every  one  of  them.  And  the  Lord 
hardened  the  heart  of  Pharaoh  king  of  Egypt,  and 
he  pursued  after  the  children  of  Israel :  and  the 
children  of  Israel  went  out  with  an  high  hand.  But 
the  Egyptians  pursued  after  them,  all  the  horses 
and  chariots  of  Pharaoh,  and  his  horsemen,  and  his 
army,  and  overtook  them  encamping  by  the  sea, 
beside  Pi-hahiroth,  before  Baal-zephon. 

And  when  Pharaoh  drew  nigh,  the  children  of 
Israel  lifted  up  their  eyes,  and,  behold,  the  Egyp- 
tians marched  after  them ;  and  they  were  sore 
afraid :  and  the  children  of  Israel  cried  out  unto 
the  Lord.  And  they  said  unto  Moses,  Because 
there  were  no  graves  in  Egypt,  hast  tliou  taken  us 
away  to  die  in  the  wilderness?  wherefore  hast  thou 
dealt  thus  with  us,  to  carry  us  forth  out  of  Egypt? 
Is  not  this  the  word  that  we  did  tell  thee  in  Egypt, 
saying,  Let  us  alone,  that  we  may  serve  the  Egyp- 
tians? For  it  had  been  better  for  us  to  serve  the 
Egyptians,  than  that  we  should  die  in  the  wilderness. 
And  Moses  said  unto  the  people,  Fear  ye  not,  stand 
still,  and  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord,  which  he 
will  shew  to  you  to  day:  for  the  Egyptians  whom 


THE  PASSAGE  OF  THE  RED  SEA 


103 


ye  have  seen  to  day,  ye  shall  see  them  again  no 
more  for  ever.  The  Lord  shall  fight  for  you,  and 
ye  shall  hold  your  peace.  And  the  Lord  said  unto 
Moses,  Wherefore  criest  thou  unto  me?  speak  unto 
the  children  of  Israel,  that  they  go  forward:  but 
lift  thou  up  thy  rod,  and  stretch  out  thine  hand 
over  the  sea,  and  divide  it:  and  the  children  of 
Israel  shall  go  on  dry  ground  through  the  midst 
of  the  sea.  And  I,  behold,  I  will  harden  the  hearts 
of  the  Egyptians,  and  they  shall  follow  them:  and 
I  will  get  me  honour  upon  Pharaoh,  and  upon  all 
his  host,  upon  his  chariots,  and  upon  his  horsemen. 
And  the  Egyptians  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord, 
when  I  have  gotten  me  honour  upon  Pharaoh,  upon 
his  chariots,  and  upon  his  horsemen. 

And  the  angel  of  God,  which  went  before  the 
camp  of  Israel,  removed  and  went  behind  them ;  and 
the  pillar  of  the  cloud  went  from  before  their  face, 
and  stood  behind  them :  and  it  came  between  the 
camp  of  the  Egyptians  and  the  camp  of  Israel ;  and 
it  was  a  cloud  and  darkness  to  them,  but  it  gave  light 
by  night  to  these :  so  that  the  one  came  not  near  the 
other  all  the  night.  And  Moses  stretched  out  his 
hand  over  the  sea ;  and  the  Lord  caused  the  sea  to 
go  back  by  a  strong  east  wind  all  that  night,  and 
made  the  sea  dry  land,  and  the  waters  were  divided. 
And  the  children  of  Israel  went  into  the  midst  of  the 
sea  upon  the  dry  ground :  and  the  waters  were  a 
wall  unto  them  on  their  right  hand,  and  on  their 
left.  And  the  Egyptians  pursued,  and  went  in  after 
them  to  the  midst  of  the  sea,  even  all  Pharaoh's 
horses,  his  chariots,  and  his  horsemen.  And  it 
came  to  pass,  that  in  the  morning  watch  the  Lord 


104  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

looked  unto  the  host  of  the  Egyptians  through  the 
pillar  of  fire  and  of  the  cloud,  and  troubled  the  host 
of  the  Egyptians,  and  took  off  their  chariot  wheels, 
that  they  drave  them  heavily :  so  that  the  Egyptians 
said,  Let  us  flee  from  the  face  of  Israel ;  for  the 
Lord  fighteth  for  them  against  the  Egyptians. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Stretch  out  thine 
hand  over  the  sea,  that  the  waters  may  come  again 
upon  the  Egyptians,  upon  their  chariots,  and  upon 
their  horsemen.  And  Moses  stretched  forth  his 
hand  over  the  sea,  and  the  sea  returned  to  his 
strength  when  the  morning  appeared ;  and  the 
Egyptians  fled  against  it ;  and  the  Lord  overthrew 
the  Egyptians  in  the  midst  of  the  sea.  And  the 
waters  returned,  and  covered  the  chariots,  and  the 
horsemen,  and  all  the  host  of  Pharaoh  that  came 
into  the  sea  after  them ;  there  remained  not  so  much 
as  one  of  them.  But  the  children  of  Israel  walked 
upon  dry  land  in  the  midst  of  the  sea ;  and  the 
waters  were  a  wall  unto  them  on  their  right  hand, 
and  on  their  left.  Thus  the  Lord  saved  Israel  that 
day  out  of  the  hand  of  the  Egyptians ;  and  Israel 
saw  the  Egyptians  dead  upon  the  sea  shore.  And 
Israel  saw  that  great  work  which  the  Lord  did  upon 
the  Egyptians :  and  the  people  feared  the  Lord,  and 
believed  the  Lord,  and  his  servant  Moses. 


THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS  105 


XVII. 

Gen  Commandments. 

Exodus  xix.  —  xx.  21. 

IN  the  third  month,  when  the  children  of  Israel 
were  gone  forth  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  the  same 
day  came  they  into  the  wilderness  of  Sinai.  For 
they  were  departed  from  Rephidim,  and  were  come 
to  the  desert  of  Sinai,  and  had  pitched  in  the  wilder- 
ness; and  there  Israel  camped  before  the  mount. 
And  Moses  went  up  unto  God,  and  the  Lord  called 
unto  him  out  of  the  mountain,  saying,  Thus  shalt 
thou  say  to  the  house  of  Jacob,  and  tell  the  children 
of  Israel;  ye  have  seen  what  I  did  unto  the  Egyp- 
tians, and  how  I  bare  you  on  eagles'  wings,  and 
brought  you  unto  myself.  Now  therefore,  if  ye 
will  obey  my  voice  indeed,  and  keep  my  covenant^ 
then  ye  shall  be  a  peculiar  treasure  unto  me  above 
all  people:  for  all  the  earth  is  mine:  and  ye  shall 
be  unto  me  a  kingdom  of  priests,  and  an  holy  nation. 
These  are  the  words  which  thou  shalt  speak  untq 
the  children  of  Israel. 

And  Moses  came  and  called  for  the  elders  of  thft 
people,  and  laid  before  their  faces  all  these  worda 
which  the  Lord  commanded  him.  And  all  the 
people  answered  together,  and  said,  All  that  the 
Lord  hath  spoken  we  will  do.  And  Moses  returned 
the  words  of  the  people  unto  the  Lord.  And  the 
Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Lo,  I  come  unto  thee  in  a 
thick  cloud,  that  the  people  may  hear  when  I  speak 
with  thee,  and  believe  thee  for  ever.  And  Moses 


io6  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

told  the  words  of  the  people  unto  the  Lord.  And 
the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Go  unto  the  people,  and 
sanctify  them  to  day  and  to  morrow,  and  let  them 
wash  their  clothes,  and  be  ready  against  the  third 
day :  for  the  third  day  the  Lord  will  come  down  in 
the  sight  of  all  the  people  upon  mount  Sinai.  And 
thou  shalt  set  bounds  unto  the  people  round  about, 
saying,  Take  heed  to  yourselves,  that  ye  go  not 
up  into  the  mount,  or  touch  the  border  of  it :  whoso- 
ever toucheth  the  mount  shall  be  surely  put  to  death : 
there  shall  not  an  hand  touch  it,  but  he  shall  surely 
be  stoned,  or  shot  through ;  whether  it  be  beast  or 
man,  it  shall  not  live :  when  the  trumpet  soundeth 
long,  they  shall  come  up  to  the  mount.  And  Moses 
went  down  from  the  mount  unto  the  people,  and 
sanctified  the  people ;  and  they  washed  their  clothes. 
And  he  said  unto  the  people,  Be  ready  against  the 
third  day :  come  not  at  your  wives. 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  third  day  in  the  morn- 
ing, that  there  were  thunders  and  lightnings,  and  a 
thick  cloud  upon  the  mount,  and  the  voice  of  the 
trumpet  exceeding  loud ;  so  that  all  the  people  that 
was  in  the  camp  trembled.  And  Moses  brought 
forth  the  people  out  of  the  camp  to  meet  with 
God ;  and  they  stood  at  the  nether  part  of  the 
mount.  And  mount  Sinai  was  altogether  on  a 
smoke,  because  the  Lord  descended  upon  it  in 
fire :  and  the  smoke  thereof  ascended  as  the  smoke 
of  a  furnace,  and  the  whole  mount  quaked  greatly. 
And  when  the  voice  of  the  trumpet  sounded 
long,  and  waxed  louder  and  louder,  Moses  spake, 
and  God  answered  him  by  a  voice.  And  the 
Lord  came  down  upon  mount  Sinai,  on  the  top  of 


THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS  107 

the  mount:  and  the  Lord  called  Moses  up  to  the 
top  of  the  mount ;  and  Moses  went  up.  And  the 
Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Go  down,  charge  the  people, 
lest  they  break  through  unto  the  Lord  to  gaze,  and 
many  of  them  perish.  And  let  the  priests  also, 
which  come  near  to  the  Lord,  sanctify  themselves, 
lest  the  Lord  break  forth  upon  them.  And  Moses 
said  unto  the  Lord,  The  people  cannot  come  up  to 
mount  Sinai :  for  thou  chargedst  us,  saying,  Set 
bounds  about  the  mount,  and  sanctify  it.  And  the 
Lord  said  unto  him,  Away,  get  thee  down,  and  thou 
shalt  come  up,  thou,  and  Aaron  with  thee:  but  let 
not  the  priests  and  the  people  break  through  to  come 
up  unto  the  Lord,  lest  he  break  forth  upon  them. 
So  Moses  went  down  unto  the  people,  and  spake 
unto  them. 

And  God  spake  all  these  words,  saying,  I  am  the 
Lord  thy  God,  which  have  brought  thee  out  of  the 
land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage. 

Thou  shalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me. 

Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image, 
or  any  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above, 
or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the  water 
under  the  earth :  thou  shalt  not  bow  down  thyself 
to  them,  nor  serve  them :  for  I  the  Lord  thy  God 
am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers 
upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  genera- 
tion of  them  that  hate  me ;  and  shewing  mercy  unto 
thousands  of  them  that  love  me,  and  keep  my  com- 
mandments. 

Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy 
God  in  vain ;  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless 
that  taketh  his  name  in  vain. 


io8  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Remember  the  sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy.  Six 
days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all  thy  work :  but 
the  seventh  day  is  the  sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God: 
in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy  son, 
nor  thy  daughter,  thy  manservant,  nor  thy  maid- 
servant, nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is 
within  thy  gates :  for  in  six  days  the  Lord  made 
heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is, 
and  rested  the  seventh  day :  wherefore  the  Lord 
blessed  the  sabbath  day,  and  hallowed  it. 

Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother :  that  thy  days 
may  be  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
giveth  thee. 

Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbour. 

Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  house,  thou 
shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  wife,  nor  his  man- 
servant, nor  his  maidservant,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass, 
nor  any  thing  that  is  thy  neighbour's. 

And  all  the  people  saw  the  thunderings,  and  the 
lightnings,  and  the  noise  of  the  trumpet,  and  the 
mountain  smoking:  and  when  the  people  saw  it, 
they  removed,  and  stood  afar  off.  And  they  said 
unto  Moses,  Speak  thou  with  us,  and  we  will  hear : 
but  let  not  God  speak  with  us,  lest  we  die.  And 
Moses  said  unto  the  people,  Fear  not:  for  God  is 
come  to  prove  you,  and  that  his  fear  may  be  before 
your  faces,  that  ye  sin  not.  And  the  people  stood 
afar  off,  and  Moses  drew  near  unto  the  thick  dark- 
ness where  God  was. 


THE  GOLDEN  CALF  109 

XVIII. 
Cbe  <3olDen  Calf. 

Exodus  xxxii. 

AND  when  the  people  saw  that  Moses  delayed  to 
come  down  out  of  the  mount,  the  people  gathered 
themselves  together  unto  Aaron,  and  said  unto  him, 
Up,  make  us  gods,  which  shall  go  before  us;  for 
as  for  this  Moses,  the  man  that  brought  us  up  out 
of  the  land  of  Egypt,  we  wot  not  what  is  become  of 
him.  And  Aaron  said  unto  them,  Break  off  the 
golden  earrings,  which  are  in  the  ears  of  your  wives, 
of  your  sons,  and  of  your  daughters,  and  bring  them 
unto  me.  And  all  the  people  brake  off  the  golden 
earrings  which  were  in  their  ears,  and  brought  them 
unto  Aaron.  And  he  received  them  at  their  hand, 
and  fashioned  it  with  a  graving  tool,  after  he  had 
made  it  a  molten  calf :  and  they  said,  These  be  thy 
gods,  O  Israel,  which  brought  thee  up  out  of  the 
land  of  Egypt.  And  when  Aaron  saw  it,  he  built 
an  altar  before  it ;  and  Aaron  made  proclamation, 
and  said,  To  morrow  is  a  feast  to  the  Lord.  And 
they  rose  up  early  on  the  morrow,  and  offered  burnt 
offerings,  and  brought  peace  offerings ;  and  the 
people  sat  down  to  eat  and  to  drink,  and  rose  up  to 
play. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Go,  get  thee 
down ;  for  thy  people,  which  thou  broughtest  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt,  have  corrupted  themselves :  they 
have  turned  aside  quickly  out  of  the  way  which  I 
commanded  them :  they  have  made  them  a  molten 


no  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

calf,  and  have  worshipped  it,  and  have  sacrificed 
thereunto,  and  said,  These  be  thy  gods,  O  Israel, 
which  have  brought  thee  up  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  I  have  seen 
this  people,  and,  behold,  it  is  a  stiff  necked  people : 
now  therefore  let  me  alone,  that  my  wrath  may  wax 
hot  against  them,  and  that  I  may  consume  them : 
and  I  will  make  of  thee  a  great  nation.  And  Moses 
besought  the  Lord  his  God,  and  said,  Lord,  why 
doth  thy  wrath  wax  hot  against  thy  people,  which 
thou  hast  brought  forth  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt 
with  great  power,  and  with  a  mighty  hand? 
Wherefore  should  the  Egyptians  speak,  and  say, 
For  mischief  did  he  bring  them  out,  to  slay  them 
in  the  mountains,  and  to  consume  them  from  the 
face  of  the  earth  ?  Turn  from  thy  fierce  wrath, 
and  repent  of  this  evil  against  thy  people.  Remem- 
ber Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Israel,  thy  servants,  to 
whom  thou  swarest  by  thine  own  self,  and  saidst 
unto  them,  I  will  multiply  your  seed  as  the  stars  of 
heaven,  and  all  this  land  that  I  have  spoken  of  will 
I  give  unto  your  seed,  and  they  shall  inherit  it  for 
ever.  And  the  Lord  repented  of  the  evil  which  he 
thought  to  do  unto  his  people. 

And  Moses  turned,  and  went  down  from  the 
mount,  and  the  two  tables  of  the  testimony  were 
in  his  hand :  the  tables  were  written  on  both  their 
sides ;  on  the  one  side  and  on  the  other  were  they 
written.  And  the  tables  were  the  work  of  God, 
and  the  writing  was  the  writing  of  God,  graven 
upon  the  tables.  And  when  Joshua  heard  the  noise 
of  the  people  as  they  shouted,  he  said  unto  Moses, 
There  is  a  noise  of  war  in  the  camp.  And  he  said, 


THE  GOLDEN  CALF  m 

It  is  not  the  voice  of  them  that  shout  for  mastery, 
neither  is  it  the  voice  of  them  that  cry  for  being 
overcome :  but  the  noise  of  them  that  sing  do  I  hear. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  as  soon  as  he  came  nigh 
unto  the  camp,  that  he  saw  the  calf,  and  the  danc- 
ing: and  Moses'  anger  waxed  hot,  and  he  cast  the 
tables  out  of  his  hands,  and  brake  them  beneath  the 
mount.  And  he  took  the  calf  which  they  had  made, 
and  burnt  it  in  the  fire,  and  ground  it  to  powder,  and 
strawed  it  upon  the  water,  and  made  the  children 
of  Israel  drink  of  it.  And  Moses  said  unto  Aaron, 
What  did  this  people  unto  thee,  that  thou  hast 
brought  so  great  a  sin  upon  them?  And  Aaron 
said,  Let  not  the  anger  of  my  lord  wax  hot :  thou 
knowest  the  people,  that  they  are  set  on  mischief. 
For  they  said  unto  me,  Make  us  gods,  which  shall 
go  before  us :  for  as  for  this  Moses,  the  man  that 
brought  us  up  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  we  wot  not 
what  is  become  of  him.  And  I  said  unto  them, 
Whosoever  hath  any  gold,  let  them  break  it  off. 
So  they  gave  it  me :  then  I  cast  it  into  the  fire,  and 
there  came  out  this  calf.  And  when  Moses  saw  that 
the  people  were  naked;  (for  Aaron  had  made  them 
naked  unto  their  shame  among  their  enemies:)  then 
Moses  stood  in  the  gate  of  the  camp,  and  said,  Who 
is  on  the  Lord's  side  ?  let  him  come  unto  me.  And 
all  the  sons  of  Levi  gathered  themselves  together 
unto  him.  And  he  said  unto  them,  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel,  Put  every  man  his  sword  by 
his  side,  and  go  in  and  out  from  gate  to  gate 
throughout  the  camp,  and  slay  every  man  his 
brother,  and  every  man  his  companion,  and  every 
man  his  neighbour.  And  the  children  of  Levi  did 


1 1 2  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRA  TIVES 

according  to  the  word  of  Moses:  and  there  fell  of 
the  people  that  day  about  three  thousand  men.  For 
Moses  had  said,  Consecrate  yourselves  to  day  to  the 
Lord,  even  every  man  upon  his  son,  and  upon  his 
brother ;  that  he  may  bestow  upon  you  a  blessing 
this  day. 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  that  Moses 
said  unto  the  people,  Ye  have  sinned  a  great  sin : 
and  now  I  will  go  up  unto  the  Lord ;  peradventure 
I  shall  make  an  atonement  for  your  sin.  And 
Moses  returned  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  Oh,  this 
people  have  sinned  a  great  sin,  and  have  made 
them  gods  of  gold.  Yet  now,  if  thou  wilt  for- 
give their  sin--;  and  if  not,  blot  me,  I  pray  thee, 
out  of  thy  book  which  thou  hast  written.  And  the 
Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Whosoever  hath  sinned 
against  me,  him  will  I  blot  out  of  my  book.  There- 
fore now  go,  lead  the  people  unto  the  place  of  which 
I  have  spoken  unto  thee :  behold,  mine  Angel  shall 
go  before  thee :  nevertheless  in  the  day  when  I 
visit  I  will  visit  their  sin  upon  them.  And  the 
Lord  plagued  the  people,  because  they  made  the 
calf,  which  Aaron  made. 


XIX. 
Gbe  Beatb  ot  /Ifooses. 

Deuteronomy  xxxiv. 

AND  Moses  went  up  from  the  plains  of  Moab  unto 
the  mountain  of  Nebo,  to  the  top  of  Pisgah,  that  is 
over  against  Jericho.  And  the  Lord  shewed  him  all 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  113 

the  land  of  Gilead,  unto  Dan,  and  all  Naphtali,  and 
the  land  of  Ephraim,  and  Manasseh,  and  all  the 
land  of  Judah,  unto  the  utmost  sea,  and  the  south, 
and  the  plain  of  the  valley  of  Jericho,  the  city  of 
palm  trees,  unto  Zoar.  And  the  Lord  said  unto 
him,  This  is  the  land  which  I  sware  unto  Abraham, 
unto  Isaac,  and  unto  Jacob,  saying,  I  will  give  it 
unto  thy  seed:  I  have  caused  thee  to  see  it  with 
thine  eyes,  but  thou  shalt  not  go  over  thither. 

So  Moses  the  servant  of  the  Lord  died  there  in 
the  land  of  Moab,  according  to  the  word  of  the 
Lord.  And  he  buried  him  in  a  valley  in  the  land 
of  Moab,  over  against  Beth-peor :  but  no  man 
knoweth  of  his  sepulchre  unto  this  day.  And 
Moses  was  an  hundred  and  twenty  years  old  when 
he  died :  his  eye  was  not  dim,  nor  his  natural  force 
abated.  And  the  children  of  Israel  wept  for  Moses 
in  the  plains  of  Moab  thirty  days :  so  the  days  of 
weeping  and  mourning  for  Moses  were  ended. 

And  Joshua  the  son  of  Nun  was  full  of  the  spirit 
of  wisdom ;  for  Moses  had  laid  his  hands  upon  him : 
and  the  children  of  Israel  hearkened  unto  him,  and 
did  as  the  Lord  commanded  Moses.  And  there 
arose  not  a  prophet  since  in  Israel  like  unto  Moses, 
whom  the  Lord  knew  face  to  face,  in  all  the  signs 
and  the  wonders,  which  the  Lord  sent  him  to  do  in 
the  land  of  Egypt  to  Pharaoh,  and  to  all  his  serv- 
ants, and  to  all  his  land,  and  in  all  that  mighty 
hand,  and  in  all  the  great  terror  which  Moses 
shewed  in  the  sight  of  all  Israel. 


u4  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

XX. 

IRabab  and  tbe  Spice. 

Joshua  ii. 

AND  Joshua  the  son  of  Nun  sent  out  of  Shittim 
two  men  to  spy  secretly,  saying,  Go  view  the  land, 
even  Jericho.  And  they  went,  and  came  into  an 
harlot's  house,  named  Rahab,  and  lodged  there. 
And  it  was  told  the  king  of  Jericho,  saying,  Behold, 
there  came  men  in  hither  to  night  of  the  children 
of  Israel  to  search  out  the  country.  And  the  king 
of  Jericho  sent  unto  Rahab,  saying,  Bring  forth  the 
men  that  are  come  to  thee,  which  are  entered  into 
thine  house :  for  they  be  come  to  search  out  all  the 
country.  And  the  woman  took  the  two  men,  and 
hid  them,  and  said  thus,  There  came  men  unto  me, 
but  I  wist  not  whence  they  were:  and  it  came  to 
pass  about  the  time  of  shutting  the  gate,  when  it 
was  dark,  that  the  men  went  out :  whither  the  men 
went  I  wot  not :  pursue  after  them  quickly ;  for  ye 
shall  overtake  them.  But  she  had  brought  them 
up  to  the  roof  of  the  house,  and  hid  them  with  the 
stalks  of  flax,  which  she  had  laid  in  order  upon  the 
roof.  And  the  men  pursued  after  them  the  way  to 
Jordan  unto  the  fords :  and  as  soon  as  they  which 
pursued  after  them  were  gone  out,  they  shut  the 
gate. 

And  before  they  were  laid  down,  she  came  up 
unto  them  upon  the  roof ;  and  she  said  unto  the 
men,  I  know  that  the  Lord  hath  given  you  the  land, 
and  that  your  terror  is  fallen  upon  us,  and  that  all 


RAHAB  AND  THE  SPIES  115 

the  inhabitants  of  the  land  faint  because  of  you. 
For  we  have  heard  how  the  Lord  dried  up  the  water 
of  the  Red  sea  for  you,  when  ye  came  out  of  Egypt ; 
and  what  ye  did  unto  the  two  kings  of  the  Amorites, 
that  were  on  the  other  side  Jordan,  Sihon  and  Og, 
whom  ye  utterly  destroyed.  And  as  soon  as  we 
had  heard  these  things,  our  hearts  did  melt,  neither 
did  there  remain  any  more  courage  in  any  man, 
because  of  you :  for  the  Lord  your  God,  he  is  God 
in  heaven  above,  and  in  earth  beneath.  Now  there- 
fore, I  pray  you,  swear  unto  me  by  the  Lord,  since 
I  have  shewed  you  kindness,  that  ye  will  also  shew 
kindness  unto  my  father's  house,  and  give  me  a  true 
token :  and  that  ye  will  save  alive  my  father,  and  my 
mother,  and  my  brethren,  and  my  sisters,  and  all 
that  they  have,  and  deliver  our  lives  from  death. 
And  the  men  answered  her,  Our  life  for  your's,  if 
ye  utter  not  this  our  business.  And  it  shall  be, 
when  the  Lord  hath  given  us  the  land,  that  we  will 
deal  kindly  and  truly  with  thee.  Then  she  let  them 
down  by  a  cord  through  the  window :  for  her  house 
was  upon  the  town  wall,  and  she  dwelt  upon  the 
wall.  And  she  said  unto  them,  Get  you  to  the  moun- 
tain, lest  the  pursuers  meet  you;  and  hide  your- 
selves there  three  days,  until  the  pursuers  be  re- 
turned :  and  afterward  may  ye  go  your  way.  And 
the  men  said  unto  her,  We  will  be  blameless  of  this 
thine  oath  which  thou  hast  made  us  swear.  Behold, 
when  we  come  into  the  land,  thou  shalt  bind  this 
line  of  scarlet  thread  in  the  window  which  thou 
didst  let  us  down  by :  and  thou  shalt  bring  thy 
father,  and  thy  mother,  and  thy  brethren,  and  all 
thy  father's  household,  home  unto  thee.  And  it 


n6  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

shall  be,  that  whosoever  shall  go  out  of  the  doors 
of  thy  house  into  the  street,  his  blood  shall  be  upon 
his  head,  and  we  will  be  guiltless :  and  whosoever 
shall  be  with  thee  in  the  house,  his  blood  shall  be 
on  our  head,  if  any  hand  be  upon  him.  And  if  thou 
utter  this  our  business,  then  we  will  be  quit  of  thine 
oath  which  thou  hast  made  us  to  swear.  And  she 
said,  According  unto  your  words,  so  be  it.  And  she 
sent  them  away,  and  they  departed :  and  she  bound 
the  scarlet  line  in  the  window.  And  they  went,  and 
came  unto  the  mountain,  and  abode  there  three  days, 
until  the  pursuers  were  returned :  and  the  pursuers 
sought  them  throughout  all  the  way,  but  found 
them  not. 

So  the  two  men  returned,  and  descended  from  the 
mountain,  and  passed  over,  and  came  to  Joshua  the 
son  of  Nun,  and  told  him  all  things  that  befell  them : 
and  they  said  unto  Joshua,  Truly  the  Lord  hath 
delivered  into  our  hands  all  the  land ;  for  even  all 
the  inhabitants  of  the  country  do  faint  because  of  us. 


XXI. 
ot 

Joshua  vi. 

Now  Jericho  was  straitly  shut  up  because  of  the 
children  of  Israel :  none  went  out,  and  none  came  in. 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  Joshua,  See,  I  have  given 
into  thine  hand  Jericho,  and  the  king  thereof,  and 
the  mighty  men  of  valour.  And  ye  shall  compass 
the  city,  all  ye  men  of  war,  and  go  round  about  the 


THE  SIEGE  OF  JERICHO 


117 


city  once.  Thus  shalt  thou  do  six  days.  And 
seven  priests  shall  bear  before  the  ark  seven 
trumpets  of  rams'  horns :  and  the  seventh  day  ye 
shall  compass  the  city  seven  times,  and  the  priests 
shall  blow  with  the  trumpets.  And  it  shall  come 
to  pass,  that  when  they  make  a  long  blast  with  the 
ram's  horn,  and  when  ye  hear  the  sound  of  the 
trumpet,  all  the  people  shall  shout  with  a  great 
shout;  and  the  wall  of  the  city  shall  fall  down  flat, 
and  the  people  shall  ascend  up  every  man  straight 
before  him. 

And  Joshua  the  son  of  Nun  called  the  priests, 
and  said  unto  them,  Take  up  the  ark  of  the  cov- 
enant, and  let  seven  priests  bear  seven  trumpets  of 
rams'  horns  before  the  ark  of  the  Lord.  And  he 
said  unto  the  people,  Pass  on,  and  compass  the  city, 
and  let  him  that  is  armed  pass  on  before  the  ark  of 
the  Lord.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Joshua  had 
spoken  unto  the  people,  that  the  seven  priests  bear- 
ing the  seven  trumpets  of  rams'  horns  passed  on 
before  the  Lord,  and  blew  with  the  trumpets :  and 
the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  followed  them. 
And  the  armed  men  went  before  the  priests  that 
blew  with  the  trumpets,  and  the  rereward  came 
after  the  ark,  the  priests  going  on,  and  blowing  with 
the  trumpets.  And  Joshua  had  commanded  the 
people,  saying,  Ye  shall  not  shout,  nor  make  any 
noise  with  your  voice,  neither  shall  any  word  pro- 
ceed out  of  your  mouth,  until  the  day  I  bid  you 
shout ;  then  shall  ye  shout.  So  the  ark  of  the  Lord 
compassed  the  city,  going  about  it  once:  and  they 
came  into  the  camp,  and  lodged  in  the  camp. 

And  Joshua  rose  early  in  the  morning,  and  the 


n8  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

priests  took  up  the  ark  of  the  Lord.  And  seven 
priests  bearing  seven  trumpets  of  rams'  horns  be- 
fore the  ark  of  the  Lord  went  on  continually,  and 

*•   ~ 

blew  with  the  trumpets :  and  the  armed  men  went 
before  them ;  but  the  rereward  came  after  the  ark 
of  the  Lord,  the  priests  going  on,  and  blowing  with 
the  trumpets.  And  the  second  day  they  compassed 
the  city  once,  and  returned  into  the  camp :  so  they 
did  six  days. 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  seventh  day,  that  they 
rose  early  about  the  dawning  of  the  day,  and  com- 
passed the  city  after  the  same  manner  seven  times : 
only  on  that  day  they  compassed  the  city  seven 
times.  And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  seventh  time, 
when  the  priests  blew  with  the  trumpets,  Joshua 
said  unto  the  people,  Shout ;  for  the  Lord  hath  given 
you  the  city.  And  the  city  shall  be  accursed,  even 
it,  and  all  that  are  therein,  to  the  Lord :  only  Rahab 
the  harlot  shall  live,  she  and  all  that  are  with  her  in 
the  house,  because  she  hid  the  messengers  that  we 
sent.  And  ye,  in  any  wise  keep  yourselves  from  the 
accursed  thing,  lest  ye  make  yourselves  accursed, 
when  ye  take  of  the  accursed  thing,  and  make  the 
camp  of  Israel  a  curse,  and  trouble  it.  But  all  the 
silver,  and  gold,  and  vessels  of  brass  and  iron,  are 
consecrated  unto  the  Lord :  they  shall  come  into  the 
treasury  of  the  Lord. 

So  the  people  shouted  when  the  priests  blew  with 
the  trumpets :  and  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  people 
heard  the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  and  the  people 
shouted  with  a  great  shout,  that  the  wall  fell  down 
flat,  so  that  the  people  went  up  into  the  city,  every 
man  straight  before  him,  and  they  took  the  city. 


THE  SIEGE  OF  JERICHO 


119 


And  they  utterly  destroyed  all  that  was  in  the  city, 
both  man  and  woman,  young  and  old,  and  ox,  and 
sheep,  and  ass,  with  the  edge  of  the  sword.  But 
Joshua  had  said  unto  the  two  men  that  had  spied 
out  the  country,  Go  into  the  harlot's  house,  and 
bring  out  thence  the  woman,  and  all  that  she  hath, 
as  ye  sware  unto  her.  And  the  young  men  that 
were  spies  went  in,  and  brought  out  Rahab,  and  her 
father,  and  her  mother,  and  her  brethren,  and  all 
that  she  had ;  and  they  brought  out  all  her  kindred, 
and  left  them  without  the  camp  of  Israel.  And 
they  burnt  the  city  with  fire,  and  all  that  was 
therein :  only  the  silver,  and  the  gold,  and  the  vessels 
of  brass  and  of  iron,  they  put  into  the  treasury  of 
the  house  of  the  Lord.  And  Joshua  saved  Rahab 
the  harlot  alive,  and  her  father's  household,  and  all 
that  she  had ;  and  she  dwelleth  in  Israel  even  unto 
this  day ;  because  she  hid  the  messengers,  which 
Joshua  sent  to  spy  out  Jericho. 

And  Joshua  adjured  them  at  that  time,  saying, 
Cursed  be  the  man  before  the  Lord,  that  riseth  up 
and  buildeth  this  city  Jericho :  he  shall  lay  the  foun- 
dation thereof  in  his  firstborn,  and  in  his  youngest 
son  shall  he  set  up  the  gates  of  it.  So  the  Lord 
was  with  Joshua ;  and  his  fame  was  noised  through- 
out all  the  country. 


120  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

XXII. 
5oebua  at  (Bibeon, 

Joshua  x.  1-15. 

Now  it  came  to  pass,  when  Adoni-zedec  king  of 
Jerusalem  had  heard  how  Joshua  had  taken  Ai, 
and  had  utterly  destroyed  it;  as  he  had  done  to 
Jericho  and  her  king,  so  he  had  done  to  Ai  and  her 
king;  and  how  the  inhabitants  of  Gibeon  had  made 
peace  with  Israel,  and  were  among  them;  that  they 
feared  greatly,  because  Gibeon  was  a  great  city,  as 
one  of  the  royal  cities,  and  because  it  was  greater 
than  Ai,  and  all  the  men  thereof  were  mighty. 
Wherefore  Adoni-zedec  king  of  Jerusalem  sent  unto 
Hoham  king  of  Hebron,  and  unto  Piram  king  of 
Jarmuth,  and  unto  Japhia  king  of  Lachish,  and  unto 
Debir  king  of  Eglon,  saying,  Come  up  unto  me,  and 
help  me,  that  we  may  smite  Gibeon :  for  it  hath 
made  peace  with  Joshua  and  with  the  children  of 
Israel.  Therefore  the  five  kings  of  the  Amorites, 
the  king  of  Jerusalem,  the  king  of  Hebron,  the  king 
of  Jarmuth,  the  king  of  Lachish,  the  king  of  Eglon, 
gathered  themselves  together,  and  went  up,  they 
and  all  their  hosts,  and  encamped  before  Gibeon, 
and  made  war  against  it. 

And  the  men  of  Gibeon  sent  unto  Joshua  to  the 
camp  to  Gilgal,  saying,  Slack  not  thy  hand  from  thy 
servants ;  come  up  to  us  quickly,  and  save  us,  and 
help  us :  for  all  the  kings  of  the  Amorites  that  dwell 
in  the  mountains  are  gathered  together  against  us. 
So  Joshua  ascended  from  Gilgal,  he,  and  all  the 


JOSHUA  AT  GIBEON  121 

people  of  war  with  him,  and  all  the  mighty  men  of 
valour.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Joshua,  Fear  them 
not :  for  I  have  delivered  them  into  thine  hand ;  there 
shall  not  a  man  of  them  stand  before  thee.  Joshua 
therefore  came  unto  them  suddenly,  and  went  up 
from  Gilgal  all  night.  And  the  Lord  discomfited 
them  before  Israel,  and  slew  them  with  a  great 
slaughter  at  Gibeon,  and  chased  them  along  the 
way  that  goeth  up  to  Beth-horon,  and  smote  them 
to  Azekah,  and  unto  Makkedah.  And  it  came  to 
pass,  as  they  fled  from  before  Israel,  and  were  in 
the  going  down  to  Beth-horon,  that  the  Lord  cast 
down  great  stones  from  heaven  upon  them  unto 
Azekah,  and  they  died :  they  were  more  which  died 
with  hailstones  than  they  whom  the  children  of 
Israel  slew  with  the  sword. 

Then  spake  Joshua  to  the  Lord  in  the  day  when 
the  Lord  delivered  up  the  Amorites  before  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel,  and  he  said  in  the  sight  of  Israel, 
Sun,  stand  thou  still  upon  Gibeon ;  and  thou,  Moon, 
in  the  valley  of  Ajalon.  And  the  sun  stood  still, 
and  the  moon  stayed,  until  the  people  had  avenged 
themselves  upon  their  enemies.  Is  not  this  written 
in  the  book  of  Jasher?  So  the  sun  stood  still  in 
the  midst  of  heaven,  and  hasted  not  to  go  down 
about  a  whole  day.  And  there  was  no  day  like  that 
before  it  or  after  it,  that  the  Lord  hearkened  unto 
the  voice  of  a  man :  for  the  Lord  fought  for  Israel. 
And  Joshua  returned,  and  all  Israel  with  him,  unto 
the  camp  to  Gilgal. 


122  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

XXIII. 
tTbe  S>eatb  of  Sosbua. 

Joshua  xxiii. — xxiv.  31. 

AND  it  came  to  pass  a  long  time  after  that  the 
Lord  had  given  rest  unto  Israel  from  all  their  enemies 
round  about,  that  Joshua  waxed  old  and  stricken  in 
age.  And  Joshua  called  for  all  Israel,  and  for  their 
elders,  and  for  their  heads,  and  for  their  judges, 
and  for  their  officers,  and  said  unto  them,  I  am  old 
and  stricken  in  age :  and  ye  have  seen  all  that  the 
Lord  your  God  hath  done  unto  all  these  nations 
because  of  you ;  for  the  Lord  your  God  is  he  that 
hath  fought  for  you.  Behold,  I  have  divided  unto 
you  by  lot  these  nations  that  remain,  to  be  an  in- 
heritance for  your  tribes,  from  Jordan,  with  all  the 
nations  that  I  have  cut  off,  even  unto  the  great  sea 
westward.  And  the  Lord  your  God,  he  shall  expel 
them  from  before  you,  and  drive  them  from  out  of 
your  sight;  and  ye  shall  possess  their  land,  as  the 
Lord  your  God  hath  promised  unto  you.  Be  ye 
therefore  very  courageous  to  keep  and  to  do  all  that 
is  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  of  Moses,  that 
ye  turn  not  aside  therefrom  to  the  right  hand  or  to 
the  left;  that  ye  come  not  among  these  nations, 
these  that  remain  among  you ;  neither  make  men- 
tion of  the  name  of  their  gods,  nor  cause  to  swear 
by  them,  neither  serve  them,  nor  bow  yourselves 
unto  them :  but  cleave  unto  the  Lord  your  God,  as 
ye  have  done  unto  this  day.  For  the  Lord  hath 
driven  out  from  before  you  great  nations  and 


THE  DEATH  OF  JOSHUA  123 

strong:  but  as  for  you,  no  man  hath  been  able  to 
stand  before  you  unto  this  day.  One  man  of  you 
lall  chase  a  thousand :  for  the  Lord  your  God,  he 
it  is  that  fighteth  for  you,  as  he  hath  promised  you. 
Take  good  heed  therefore  unto  yourselves,  that  ye 
love  the  Lord  your  God.  Else  if  ye  do  in  any  wise 
go  back,  and  cleave  unto  the  remnant  of  these 
nations,  even  these  that  remain  among  you,  and 
shall  make  marriages  with  them,  and  go  in  unto 
them,  and  they  to  you :  know  for  a  certainty  that 
the  Lord  your  God  will  no  more  drive  out  any  of 
these  nations  from  before  you ;  but  they  shall  be 
snares  and  traps  unto  you,  and  scourges  in  your 
sides,  and  thorns  in  your  eyes,  until  ye  perish  from 
off  this  good  land  which  the  Lord  your  God  hath 
given  you. 

And,  behold,  this  day  I  am  going  the  way  of  all 
the  earth :  and  ye  know  in  all  your  hearts  and  in 
all  your  souls,  that  not  one  thing  hath  failed  of  all 
the  good  things  which  the  Lord  your  God  spake 
concerning  you ;  all  are  come  to  pass  unto  you,  and 
not  one  thing  hath  failed  thereof.  Therefore  it 
shall  come  to  pass,  that  as  all  good  things  are  come 
upon  you,  which  the  Lord  your  God  promised 
you ;  so  shall  the  Lord  bring  upon  you  all  evil  things, 
until  he  have  destroyed  you  from  off  this  good  land 
which  the  Lord  your  God  hath  given  you.  When 
ye  have  transgressed  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  your 
God,  which  he  commanded  you.  and  have  gone  and 
served  other  gods,  and  bowed  yourselves  to  them ; 
then  shall  the  anger  of  the  Lord  be  kindled  against 
you,  and  ye  shall  perish  quickly  from  off  the  good 
land  which  he  hath  given  unto  you. 


I24  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  Joshua  gathered  all  the  tribes  of  Israel  to 
Shechem,  and  called  for  the  elders  of  Israel,  and 
for  their  heads,  and  for  their  judges,  and  for  their 
officers ;  and  they  presented  themselves  before  God. 
And  Joshua  said  unto  all  the  people,  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel,  Your  fathers  dwelt  on  the  other 
side  of  the  flood  in  old  time,  even  Terah,  the  father 
of  Abraham,  and  the  father  of  Nachor:  and  they 
served  other  gods.  And  I  took  your  father  Abra- 
ham from  the  other  side  of  the  flood,  and  led  him 
throughout  all  the  land  of  Canaan,  and  multi- 
plied his  seed,  and  gave  him  Isaac.  And  I  gave 
unto  Isaac  Jacob  and  Esau ;  and  I  gave  unto  Esau 
mount  Seir,  to  possess  it;  but  Jacob  and  his 
children  went  down  into  Egypt.  I  sent  Moses 
also  and  Aaron,  and  I  plagued  Egypt  according 
to  that  which  I  did  among  them :  and  afterward 
I  brought  you  out.  And  I  brought  your  fathers 
out  of  Egypt :  and  ye  came  unto  the  sea ;  and  the 
Egyptians  pursued  after  your  fathers  with  chariots 
and  horsemen  unto  the  Red  sea.  And  when  they 
cried  unto  the  Lord,  he  put  darkness  between  you 
and  the  Egyptians,  and  brought  the  sea  upon  them, 
and  covered  them ;  and  your  eyes  have  seen  what 
I  have  done  in  Egypt :  and  ye  dwelt  in  the  wilder- 
ness a  long  season.  And  I  brought  you  into  the 
land  of  the  Amorites,  which  dwelt  on  the  other  side 
Jordan ;  and  they  fought  with  you :  and  I  gave  them 
into  your  hand,  that  ye  might  possess  their  land ; 
and  I  destroyed  them  from  before  you.  Then 
Balak  the  son  of  Zippor,  king  of  Moab,  arose  and 
warred  against  Israel,  and  sent  and  called  Balaam 
the  son  of  Beor  to  curse  you :  but  I  would  not 


THE  DEATH  OF  JOSHUA  125 

hearken  unto  Balaam ;  therefore  he  blessed  you 
still :  so  I  delivered  you  out  of  his  hand.  And  ye 
went  over  Jordan,  and  came  unto  Jericho :  and  the 
men  of  Jericho  fought  against  you,  the  Amorites, 
and  the  Perizzites,  and  the  Canaanites,  and  the 
Hittites,  and  the  Girgashites,  the  Hivites,  and  the 
Jebusites;  and  I  delivered  them  into  your  hand. 
And  I  sent  the  hornet  before  you,  which  drave  them 
out  from  before  you,  even  the  two  kings  of  the 
Amorites;  but  not  with  thy  sword,  nor  with  thy 
bow.  And  I  have  given  you  a  land  for  which  ye 
did  not  labour,  and  cities  which  ye  built  not,  and 
ye  dwell  in  them ;  of  the  vineyards  and  oliveyards 
which  ye  planted  not  do  ye  eat. 

Now  therefore  fear  the  Lord,  and  serve  him  in 
sincerity  and  in  truth :  and  put  away  the  gods  which 
your  fathers  served  on  the  other  side  of  the  flood, 
and  in  Egypt;  and  serve  ye  the  Lord.  And  if  it 
seem  evil  unto  you  to  serve  the  Lord,  choose  you 
this  day  whom  ye  will  serve ;  whether  the  gods 
which  your  fathers  served  that  were  on  the  other 
side  of  the  flood,  or  the  gods  of  the  Amorites,  in 
whose  land  ye  dwell :  but  as  for  me  and  my  house, 
we  will  serve  the  Lord.  And  the  people  answered 
and  said,  God  forbid  that  we  should  forsake  the 
Lord,  to  serve  other  gods ;  for  the  Lord  our  God, 
he  it  is  that  brought  us  up  and  our  fathers  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt,  from  the  house  of  bondage,  and 
which  did  those  great  signs  in  our  sight,  and  pre- 
served us  in  all  the  way  wherein  we  went,  and, 
among  all  the  people  through  whom  we  passed : 
and  the  Lord  drave  out  from  before  us  all  the  peo- 
ple, even  the  Amorites  which  dwelt  in  the  land: 


126  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

therefore  will  we  also  serve  the  Lord ;  for  he  is  our 
God.  And  Joshua  said  unto  the  people,  Ye  cannot 
serve  the  Lord :  for  he  is  an  holy  God ;  he  is  a  jealous 
God ;  he  will  not  forgive  your  transgressions  nor 
your  sins.  If  ye  forsake  the  Lord,  and  serve 
strange  gods,  then  he  will  turn  and  do  you  hurt, 
and  consume  you,  after  that  he  hath  done  you  good. 
And  the  people  said  unto  Joshua,  Nay ;  but  we  will 
serve  the  Lord.  And  Joshua  said  unto  the  people, 
Ye  are  witnesses  against  yourselves  that  ye  have 
chosen  you  the  Lord,  to  serve  him.  And  they  said, 
We  are  witnesses.  Now  therefore  put  away,  said 
he,  the  strange  gods  which  are  among  you,  and 
incline  your  heart  unto  the  Lord  God  of  Israel. 
And  the  people  said  unto  Joshua,  The  Lord  our  God 
will  we  serve,  and  his  voice  will  we  obey.  So 
Joshua  made  a  covenant  with  the  people  that  day, 
and  set  them  a  statute  and  an  ordinance  in  Shechem. 

And  Joshua  wrote  these  words  in  the  book  of  the 
law  of  God,  and  took  a  great  stone,  and  set  it  up 
there  under  an  oak,  that  was  by  the  sanctuary  of 
the  Lord.  And  Joshua  said  unto  all  the  people, 
Behold,  this  stone  shall  be  a  witness  unto  us ;  for  it 
hath  heard  all  the  words  of  the  Lord  which  he 
spake  unto  us :  it  shall  be  therefore  a  witness  unto 
you,  lest  ye  deny  your  God.  So  Joshua  let  the  peo- 
ple depart,  every  man  unto  his  inheritance. 

And  it  came  to  pass  after  these  things,  that 
Joshua  the  son  of  Nun,  the  servant  of  the  Lord, 
died,  being  an  hundred  and  ten  years  old.  And 
they  buried  him  in  the  border  of  his  inheritance  in 
Timnath-serah,  which  is  in  mount  Ephraim,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  hill  of  Gaash.  And  Israel  served 


SISERA  AND  JAEL  127 

the  Lord  all  the  days  of  Joshua,  and  all  the  days 
of  the  elders  that  overlived  Joshua,  and  which  had 
known  all  the  works  of  the  Lord,  that  he  had  done 
for  Israel. 


XXIV. 
Sfsera  an& 

Judges  iv. 

AND  the  children  of  Israel  again  did  evil  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord,,  when  Ehud  was  dead.  And  the 
Lord  sold  them  into  the  hand  of  Jabin  king  of 
Canaan,  that  reigned  in  Razor;  the  captain  of 
whose  host  was  Sisera,  which  dwelt  in  Harosheth 
of  the  Gentiles.  And  the  children  of  Israel  cried 
unto  the  Lord :  for  he  had  nine  hundred  chariots  of 
iron ;  and  twenty  years  he  mightily  oppressed  the 
children  of  Israel. 

And  Deborah,  a  prophetess,  the  wife  of  Lapidoth, 
she  judged  Israel  at  that  time.  And  she  dwelt 
under  the  palm  tree  of  Deborah  between  Ramah 
and  Beth-el  in  mount  Ephraim :  and  the  children 
of  Israel  came  up  to  her  for  judgment.  And  she 
sent  and  called  Barak  the  son  of  Abinoam  out  of 
Kedesh-naphtali,  and  said  unto  him,  Hath  not  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel  commanded,  saying,  Go  and 
draw  toward  mount  Tabor,  and  take  with  thee  ten 
thousand  men  of  the  children  of  Naphtali  and  of 
the  children  of  Zebulun?  And  I  will  draw  unto 
thee,  to  the  river  Kishon  Sisera  the  captain  of 
Jabin's  army,  with  his  chariots  and  his  multitude  ; 
and  I  will  deliver  him  into  thine  hand.  And  Barak 


128  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

said  unto  her,  If  them  wilt  go  with  me,  then  I  will 
go :  but  if  thou  wilt  not  go  with  me,  then  I  will  not 
go.  And  she  said,  I  will  surely  go  with  thee :  not- 
withstanding the  journey  that  thou  takest  shall  not 
be  for  thine  honour;  for  the  Lord  shall  sell  Sisera 
into  the  hand  of  a  woman.  And  Deborah  arose, 
and  went  with  Barak  to  Kedesh. 

And  Barak  called  Zebulun  and  Naphtali  to 
Kedesh ;  -and  he  went  up  with  ten  thousand  men  at 
his  feet :  and  Deborah  went  up  with  him.  Now 
Heber  the  Kenite,  which  was  of  the  children  of 
Hobab  the  father  in  law  of  Moses,  had  severed  him- 
self from  the  Kenites,  and  pitched  his  tent  unto 
the  plain  of  Zaanaim,  which  is  by  Kedesh.  And 
they  shewed  Sisera  that  Barak  the  son  of  Abinoam 
was  gone  up  to  mount  Tabor.  And  Sisera  gathered 
together  all  his  chariots,  even  nine  hundred  chariots 
of  iron,  and  all  the  people  that  were  with  him,  from 
Harosheth  of  the  Gentiles  unto  the  river  of  Kishon. 
And  Deborah  said  unto  Barak,  Up ;  for  this  is  the 
day  in  which  the  Lord  hath  delivered  Sisera  into 
thine  hand:  is  not  the  Lord  gone  out  before  thee? 
So  Barak  went  down  from  mount  Tabor,  and  ten 
thousand  men  after  him.  And  the  Lord  discomfited 
Sisera,  and  all  his  chariots,  and  all  his  host,  with 
the  edge  of  the  sword  before  Barak ;  so  that  Sisera 
lighted  down  off  his  chariot,  and  fled  away  on  his 
feet.  But  Barak  pursued  after  the  chariots,  and 
after  the  host,  unto  Harosheth  of  the  Gentiles :  and 
all  the  host  of  Sisera  fell  upon  the  edge  of  the 
sword ;  and  there  was  not  a  man  left. 

Howbeit  Sisera  fled  away  on  his  feet  to  the  tent 
of  Jael  the  wife  of  Heber  the  Kenite:  for  there  was 


SI  SERA  AND  JAEL  129 

peace  between  Jabin  the  king  of  Hazor  and  the 
house  of  Heber  the  Kenite.  And  Jael  went  out  to 
meet  Sisera,  and  said  unto  him,  Turn  in,  my  lord, 
turn  in  to  me ;  fear  not.  And  when  he  had  turned 
in  unto  her  into  the  tent,  she  covered  him  with  a 
mantle.  And  he  said  unto  her,  Give  me,  I  pray 
thee,  a  little  water  to  drink ;  for  I  am  thirsty.  And 
she  opened  a  bottle  of  milk,  and  gave  him  drink, 
and  covered  him.  Again  he  said  unto  her,  Stand 
in  the  door  of  the  tent,  and  it  shall  be,  when  any 
man  doth  come  and  enquire  of  thee,  and  say,  Is  there 
any  man  here  ?  that  thou  shalt  say,  No.  Then  Jael 
Heber 's  wife  took  a  nail  of  the  tent,  and  took  an 
hammer  in  her  hand,  and  went  softly  unto  him,  and 
smote  the  nail  into  his  temples,  and  fastened  it  into 
the  ground :  for  he  was  fast  asleep  and  weary.  •  So 
he  died.  And,  behold,  as  Barak  pursued  Sisera, 
Jael  came  out  to  meet  him,  and  said  unto  him, 
Come,  and  I  will  shew  thee  the  man  whom  thou 
seekest.  And  when  he  came  into  her  tent,  behold, 
Sisera  lay  dead,  and  the  nail  was  in  his  temples. 

So  God  subdued  on  that  day  Jabin  the  king  of 
Canaan  before  the  children  of  Israel.  And  the 
hand  of  the  children  of  Israel  prospered,  and  pre- 
vailed against  Jabin  the  king  of  Canaan,  until  they 
had  destroyed  Jabin  king  of  Canaan. 


1 3o  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

XXV. 

(BiDeon's  Bring* 

Judges  vii. 

THEN  Jerubbaal,  who  is  Gideon,  and  all  the  peo- 
ple that  were  with  him,  rose  up  early,  and  pitched 
beside  the  well  of  Harod :  so  that  the  host  of  the 
Midianites  were  on  the  north  side  of  them,  by  the 
hill  of  Moreh,  in  the  valley.  And  the  Lord  said 
unto  Gideon,  The  people  that  are  with  thee  are  too 
many  for  me  to  give  the  Midianites  into  their  hands, 
lest  Israel  vaunt  themselves  against  me,  saying, 
Mine  own  hand  hath  saved  me.  Now  therefore  go 
to,  proclaim  in  the  ears  of  the  people,  saying,  Who- 
soever is  fearful  and  afraid,  let  him  return  and 
depart  early  from  mount  Gilead.  And  there  re- 
turned of  the  people  twenty  and  two  thousand ; 
and  there  remained  ten  thousand.  And  the  Lord 
said  unto  Gideon,  The  people  are  yet  too  many; 
bring  them  down  unto  the  water,  and  I  will  try 
them  for  thee  there :  and  it  shall  be,  that  of  whom 
I  say  unto  thee,  This  shall  go  with  thee,  the  same 
shall  go  with  thee ;  and  of  whomsoever  I  say  unto 
thee,  This  shall  not  go  with  thee,  the  same  shall  not 
go.  So  he  brought  down  the  people  unto  the  water  : 
and  the  Lord  said  unto  Gideon,  Every  one  that 
lappeth  of  the  water  with  his  tongue,  as  a  dog 
lappeth,  him  shalt  thou  set  by  himself ;  likewise 
every  one  that  boweth  down  upon  his  knees  to 
drink.  And  the  number  of  them  that  lapped, 
putting  their  hand  to  their  mouth,  were  three  him- 


GIDEON'S  ARMY  131 

dred  men :  but  all  the  rest  of  the  people  bowed  down 
upon  their  knees  to  drink  water.  And  the  Lord 
said  unto  Gideon,  By  the  three  hundred  men  that 
lapped  will  I  save  you,  and  deliver  the  Midianites 
into  thine  hand :  and  let  all  the  other  people  go 
every  man  unto  his  place'.  So  the  people  took 
victuals  in  their  hand,  and  their  trumpets :  and  he 
sent  all  the  rest  of  Israel  every  man  unto  his  tent, 
and  retained  those  three  hundred  men :  and  the 
host  of  Midian  was  beneath  him  in  the  valley. 

And  it  came  to  pass  the  same  night,  that  the  Lord 
said  unto  him,  Arise,  get  thee  down  unto  the  host ; 
for  I  have  delivered  it  into  thine  hand.  But  if  thou 
fear  to  go  down,  go  thou  with  Phurah  thy  servant 
down  to  the  host :  and  thou  shalt  hear  what  they 
say ;  and  afterward  shall  thine  hands  be  strength- 
ened to  go  down  unto  the  host.  Then  went  he 
down  with  Phurah  his  servant  unto  the  outside  of 
the  armed  men  that  were  in  the  host.  And  the 
Midianites  and  the  Amalekites  and  all  the  children 
of  the  east  lay  along  in  the  valley  like  grasshoppers 
for  multitude ;  and  their  camels  were  without  num- 
ber, as  the  sand  by  the  sea  side  for  multitude.  And 
when  Gideon  was  come,  behold,  there  was  a  man 
that  told  a  dream  unto  his  fellow,  and  said.  Behold, 
I  dreamed  a  dream,  and,  lo,  a  cake  of  barley  bread 
tumbled  into  the  host  of  Midian,  and  came  unto  a 
tent,  and  smote  it  that  it  fell,  and  overturned  it,  that 
the  tent  lay  along.  And  his  fellow  answered  and 
said,  This  is  nothing  else  save  the  sword  of 
Gideon  the  son  of  Joash,  a  man  of  Israel :  for  into 
his  hand  hath  God  delivered  Midian,  and  all  the 
host. 


I32  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  it  was  so,  when  Gideon  heard  the  telling  of 
the  dream,  and  the  interpretation  thereof,  that  he 
worshipped,  and  returned  into  the  host  of  Israel, 
and  said,  Arise ;  for  the  Lord  hath  delivered  into 
your  hand  the  host  of  Midian.  And  he  divided  the 
three  hundred  men  into  three  companies,  and  he 
put  a  trumpet  in  every  man's  hand,  with  empty 
pitchers,  and  lamps  within  the  pitchers.  And  he 
said  unto  them,  Look  on  me,  and  do  likewise :  and, 
behold,  when  I  come  to  the  outside  of  the  camp,  it 
shall  be  that,  as  I  do,  so  shall  ye  do.  When  I  blow 
with  a  trumpet,  I  and  all  that  are  with  me,  then 
blow  ye  the  trumpets  also  on  every  side  of  all  the 
camp,  and  say,  The  sword  of  the  Lord,  and  of 
Gideon. 

So  Gideon,  and  the  hundred  men  that  were 
with  him,  came  unto  the  outside  of  the  camp 
in  the  beginning  of  the  middle  watch ;  and  they 
had  but  newly  set  the  watch :  and  they  blew  the 
trumpets,  and  brake  the  pitchers  that  were  in 
their  hands.  And  the  three  companies  blew  the 
trumpets,  and  brake  the  pitchers,  and  held  the 
lamps  in  their  left  hands,  and  the  trumpets  in  their 
right  hands  to  blow  withal :  and  they  cried,  The 
sword  of  the  Lord,  and  of  Gideon.  And  they  stood 
every  man  in  his  place  round  about  the  camp :  and 
all  the  host  ran,  and  cried,  and  fled.  And  the 
three  hundred  blew  the  trumpets,  and  the  Lord  set 
every  man's  sword  against  his  fellow,  even  through- 
out all  the  host :  and  the  host  fled  to  Beth-shittah  in 
Zererath,  and  to  the  border  of  Abel-meholah,  unto 
Tabbath.  And  the  men  of  Israel  gathered  them- 
selves together  out  of  Naphtali,  and  out  of  Asher, 


ABIMELECH  AND  JOTHAM  133 

and  out  of  all   Manasseh,   and   pursued  after  the 
Midianites. 

And  Gideon  sent  messengers  throughout  all 
mount  Ephraim,  saying,  Come  down  against 
the  Midianites,  and  take  before  them  the  waters 
unto  Beth-barah  and  Jordan.  Then  all  the  men  of 
Ephraim  gathered  themselves  together,  and  took 
the  waters  unto  Beth-barah  and  Jordan.  And  they 
took  two  princes  of  the  Midianites,  Oreb  and  Zeeb ; 
and  they  slew  Oreb  upon  the  rock  Oreb,  and  Zeeb 
they  slew  at  the  winepress  of  Zeeb,  and  pursued 
Midian,  and  brought  the  heads  of  Oreb  and  Zeeb 
to  Gideon  on  the  other  side  Jordan. 


XXVI. 
Bbfmelecb  anD  Sotbam. 

Judges  viii.  33 — ix. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  as  soon  as  Gideon  was  dead, 
that  the  children  of  Israel  turned  again,  and  went 
a  whoring  after  Baalim,  and  made  Baal-berith  their 
god.  And  the  children  of  Israel  remembered  not 
the  Lord  their  God,  who  had  delivered  them  out  of 
the  hands  of  all  their  enemies  on  every  side :  neither 
shewed  they  kindness  to  the  house  of  Jerubbaal, 
namely,  Gideon,  according  to  all  the  goodness  which 
he  had  shewed  unto  Israel. 

And  Abimelech  the  son  of  Jerubbaal  went  to 
Shechem  unto  his  mother's  brethren,  and  communed 
with  them,  and  with  all  the  family  of  the  house  of 
his  mother's  father,  saying,  Speak,  I  pray  you,  in 


I34  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  ears  of  all  the  men  of  Shechem,  Whether  is 
better  for  you,  either  that  all  the  sons  of  Jerubbaal, 
which  are  threescore  and  ten  persons,  reign  over 
you,  or  that  one  reign  over  you  ?  remember  also  that 
I  am  your  bone  and  your  flesh.  And  his  mother's 
brethren  spake  of  him  in  the  ears  of  all  the  men 
of  Shechem  all  these  words :  and  their  hearts  in- 
clined to  follow  Abimelech ;  for  they  said,  He  is 
our  brother.  And  they  gave  him  threescore  and 
ten  pieces  of  silver  out  of  the  house  of  Baal-berith, 
wherewith  Abimelech  hired  vain  and  light  persons, 
which  followed  him.  And  he  went  unto  his  father's 
house  at  Ophrah,  and  slew. his  brethren  the  sons  of 
Jerubbaal,  being  threescore  and  ten  persons,  upon 
one  stone :  notwithstanding  yet  Jotham  the  youngest 
son  of  Jerubbaal  was  left;  for  he  hid  himself.  And 
all  the  men  of  Shechem  gathered  together,  and  all 
the  house  of  Millo,  and  went  and  made  Abimelech 
king,  by  the  plain  of  the  pillar  that  was  in  Shechem. 
And  when  they  told  it  to  Jotham,  he  went  and 
stood  in  the  top  of  mount  Gerizim,  and  lifted  up 
his  voice,  and  cried,  and  said  unto  them,  Hearken 
unto  me,  ye  men  of  Shechem,  that  God  may  hearken 
unto  you.  The  trees  went  forth  on  a  time  to  anoint 
a  king  over  them ;  and  they  said  unto  the  olive  tree, 
Reign  thou  over  us.  But  the  olive  tree  said  unto 
them,  Should  I  leave  my  fatness,  wherewith  by  me 
they  honour  God  and  man,  and  go  to  be  promoted 
over  the  trees?  And  the  trees  said  to  the  fig  tree, 
Come  thou,  and  reign  over  us.  But  the  fig  tree  said 
unto  them,  Should  I  forsake  my  sweetness,  and  my 
good  fruit,  and  go  to  be  promoted  over  the  trees? 
Then  said  the  trees  unto  the  vine,  Come  thou,  and 


ABIMELECH  AND  JOTHAM  135 

reign  over  us.  And  the  vine  said  unto  them,  Should 
I  leave  my  wine,  which  cheereth  God  and  man,  and 
go  to  be  promoted  over  the  trees?  Then  said  all 
the  trees  unto  the  bramble,  Come  thou,  and  reign 
over  us.  And  the  bramble  said  unto  the  trees,  If 
in  truth  ye  anoint  me  king  over  you,  then  come  and 
put  your  trust  in  my  shadow:  and  if  not,  let  fire 
come  out  of  the  bramble,  and  devour  the  cedars  of 
Lebanon.  Now  therefore,  if  ye  have  done  truly 
and  sincerely,  in  that  ye  have  made  Abimelech  king, 
and  if  ye  have  dealt  well  with  Jerubbaal  and  his 
house,  and  have  done  unto  him  according  to  the 
deserving  of  his  hands;  (for  my  father  fought  for 
you,  and  adventured  his  life  far,  and  delivered  you 
out  of  the  hand  of  Midian :  and  ye  are  risen  up 
against  my  father's  house  this  day,  and  have  slain 
his  sons,  threescore  and  ten  persons,  upon  one  stone, 
and  have  made  Abimelech,  the  son  of  his  maid- 
servant, king  over  the  men  of  Shechem,  because 
he  is  your  brother;)  if  ye  then  have  dealt  truly  and 
sincerely  with  Jerubbaal  and  with  his  house  this 
day,  then  rejoice  ye  in  Abimelech,  and  let  him  also 
rejoice  in  you :  but  if  not,  let  fire  come  out  from 
Abimelech,  and  devour  the  men  of  Shechem,  and 
the  house  of  Millo ;  and  let  fire  come  out  from  the 
men  of  Shechem,  and  from  the  house  of  Millo,  and 
devour  Abimelech.  And  Jotham  ran  away,  and 
fled,  and  went  to  Beer,  and  dwelt  there,  for  fear  of 
Abimelech  his  brother. 

When  Abimelech  had  reigned  three  years  over 
Israel,  then  God  sent  an  evil  spirit  between  Abime- 
lech and  the  men  of  Shechem;  and  the  men  of 
Shechem  dealt  treacherously  with  Abimelech:  that 


136  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  cruelty  done  to  the  threescore  and  ten  sons  of 
Jerubbaal  might  come,  and  their  blood  be  laid  upon 
Abimelech  their  brother,  which  slew  them;  and  upon 
the  men  of  Shechem,  which  aided  him  in  the  killing 
of  his  brethren.  And  the  men  of  Shechem  set  Hers 
in  wait  for  him  in  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and 
they  robbed  all  that  came  along  that  way  by  them : 
and  it  was  told  Abimelech.  And  Gaal  the  son  of 
Ebed  came  with  his  brethren,  and  went  over  to 
Shechem :  and  the  men  of  Shechem  put  their  con- 
fidence in  him.  And  they  went  out  into  the  fields, 
and  gathered  their  vineyards,  and  trode  the  grapes, 
and  made  merry,  and  went  into  the  house  of  their 
god,  and  did  eat  and  drink,  and  cursed  Abimelech. 
And  Gaal  the  son  of  Ebed  said,  Who  is  Abimelech, 
and  who  is  Shechem,  that  we  should  serve  him? 
is  not  he  the  son  of  Jerubbaal  ?  and  Zebul  his  officer  ? 
serve  the  men  of  Hamor  the  father  of  Shechem : 
for  why  should  we  serve  him?  And  would  to  God 
this  people  were  under  my  hand !  then  would  I 
remove  Abimelech.  And  he  said  to  Abimelech, 
Increase  thine  army,  and  come  out. 

And  when  Zebul  the  ruler  of  the  city  heard  the 
words  of  Gaal  the  son  of  Ebed,  his  anger  was 
kindled.  And  he  sent  messengers  unto  Abimelech 
privily,  saying,  Behold,  Gaal  the  son  of  Ebed  and 
his  brethren  be  come  to  Shechem ;  and,  behold, 
they  fortify  the  city  against  thee.  Now  therefore 
up  by  night,  thou  and  the  people  that  is  with  thee, 
and  lie  in  wait  in  the  field :  and  it  shall  be,  that  in 
the  morning,  as  soon  as  the  sun  is  up,  thou  shalt 
rise  early,  and  set  upon  the  city:  and,  behold,  when 
he  and  the  people  that  is  with  him  come  out  against 


ABIMELECH  AND  JOTHAM 


137 


thee,  then  mayest  thou  do  to  them  as  thou  shalt 
find  occasion. 

And  Abimelech  rose  up,  and  all  the  people  that 
were  with  him,  by  night,  and  they  laid  wait  against 
Shechem  in  four  companies.  And  Gaal  the  son  of 
Ebed  went  out,  and  stood  in  the  entering  of  the  gate 
of  the  city :  and  Abimelech  rose  up,  and  the  people 
that  were  with  him,  from  lying  in  wait.  And  when 
Gaal  saw  the  people,  he  said  to  Zebul,  Behold,  there 
come  people  down  from  the  top  of  the  mountains. 
And  Zebul  said  unto  him,  Thou  seest  the  shadow 
of  the  mountains  as  if  they  were  men.  And  Gaal 
spake  again  and  said,  See  there  come  people  down 
by  the  middle  of  the  land,  and  another  company 
come  along  by  the  plain  of  Meonenim.  Then  said 
Zebul  unto  him,  Where  is  now  thy  mouth,  wherewith 
thou  saidst,  Who  is  Abimelech,  that  we  should  serve 
him?  is  not  this  the  people  that  thou  hast  despised? 
go  out,  I  pray  now,  and  fight  with  them.  And  Gaal 
went  out  before  the  men  of  Shechem,  and  fought 
with  Abimelech.  And  Abimelech  chased  him,  and 
he  fled  before  him,  and  many  were  overthrown  and 
wounded,  even  unto  the  entering  of  the  gate.  And 
Abimelech  dwelt  at  Arumah:  and  Zebul  thrust  out 
Gaal  and  his  brethren,  that  they  should  not  dwell 
in  Shechem. 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  that  the 
people  went  out  into  the  field ;  and  they  told  Abime- 
lech. And  he  took  the  people,  and  divided  them 
into  three  companies,  and  laid  wait  in  the  field,  and 
looked,  and,  behold,  the  people  were  come  forth  out 
of  the  city ;  and  he  rose  up  against  them,  and  smote 
them.  And  Abimelech,  and  the  company  that  was 


138  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

with  him,  rushed  forward,  and  stood  in  the  entering 
of  the  gate  of  the  city :  and  the  two  other  companies 
ran  upon  all  the  people  that  were  in  the  fields,  and 
slew  them.  And  Abimelech  fought  against  the  city 
all  that  day;  and  he  took  the  city,  and  slew  the 
people  that  was  therein,  and  beat  down  the  city, 
and  sowed  it  with  salt.  And  when  all  the  men  of 
the  tower  of  Shechem  heard  that,  they  entered  into 
an  hold  of  the  house  of  the  god  Berith.  And  it  was 
told  Abimelech,  that  all  the  men  of  the  tower  of 
Shechem  were  gathered  together.  And  Abimelech 
gat  him  up  to  mount  Zalmon,  he  and  all  the  people 
that  were  with  him ;  and  Abimelech  took  an  ax  in 
his  hand,  and  cut  down  a  bough  from  the  trees, 
and  took  it,  and  laid  it  on  his  shoulder,  and  said 
unto  the  people  that  were  with  him,  What  ye  have 
seen  me  do,  make  haste,  and  do  as  I  have  done. 
And  all  the  people  likewise  cut  down  every  man 
his  bough,  and  followed  Abimelech,  and  put  them 
to  the  hold,  and  set  the  hold  on  fire  upon  them ;  so 
that  all  the  men  of  the  tower  of  Shechem  died  also, 
about  a  thousand  men  and  women. 

Then  went  Abimelech  to  Thebez,  and  encamped 
against  Thebez,  and  took  it.  But  there  was  a 
strong  tower  within  the  city,  and  thither  fled  all 
the  men  and  women,  and  all  they  of  the  city,  and 
shut  it  to  them,  and  gat  them  up  to  the  top  of  the 
tower.  And  Abimelech  came  unto  the  tower,  and 
fought  against  it,  and  went  hard  unto  the  door  of 
the  tower  to  burn  it  with  fire.  And  a  certain  woman 
cast  a  piece  of  a  millstone  upon  Abimelech's  head, 
and  all  to  brake  his  skull.  Then  he  called  hastily 
unto  the  young  man  his  armourbearer,  and  said 


JEPHTHAH'S  VOW 


139 


unto  him,  Draw  thy  sword,  and  slay  me,  that  men 
say  not  of  me,  A  woman  slew  him.  And  his  young 
man  thrust  him  through,  and  he  died.  And  when 
the  men  of  Israel  saw  that  Abimelech  was  dead, 
they  departed  every  man  unto  his  place.  Thus  God 
rendered  the  wickedness  of  Abimelech,  which  he 
did  unto  his  father,  in  slaying  his  seventy  brethren : 
and  all  the  evil  of  the  men  of  Shechem  did  God 
render  upon  their  heads :  and  upon  them  came  the 
curse  of  Jotham  the  son  of  Jerubbaal. 


XXVII. 
Sepbtbab's 

Judges  xi.  30-40. 

AND  Jephthah  vowed  a  vow  unto  the  Lord,  and 
said,  If  thou  shalt  without  fail  deliver  the  children 
of  Ammon  into  mine  hands,  then  it  shall  be,  that 
whatsoever  cometh  forth  of  the  doors  of  my  house 
to  meet  me,  when  I  return  in  peace  from  the  chil- 
dren of  Ammon,  shall  surely  be  the  Lord's,  and  I 
will  offer  it  up  for  a  burnt  offering.  So  Jephthah 
passed  over  unto  the  children  of  Ammon  to  fight 
against  them ;  and  the  Lord  delivered  them  into  his 
hands.  And  he  smote  them  from  Aroer,  even  till 
thou  come  to  Minnith,  even  twenty  cities,  and  unto 
the  plain  of  the  vineyards,  with  a  very  great 
slaughter.  Thus  the  children  of  Ammon  were  sub- 
dued before  the  children  of  Israel. 

And  Jephthah  came  to  Mizpeh  unto  his  house, 
and,  behold,  his  daughter  came  out  to  meet  him 


I4o  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

with  timbrels  and  with  dances :  and  she  was  his  only 
child ;  beside  her  he  had  neither  son  nor  daughter. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  when  he  saw  her,  that  he  rent 
his  clothes,  and  said,  Alas,  my  daughter !  thou  hast 
brought  me  very  low,  and  thou  art  one  of  them 
that  trouble  me :  for  I  have  opened  my  mouth  unto 
the  Lord,  and  I  cannot  go  back.  And  she  said 
unto  him,  My  father,  if  thou  hast  opened  thy  mouth 
unto  the  Lord,  do  to  me  according  to  that  which 
hath  proceeded  out  of  thy  mouth ;  forasmuch  as 
the  Lord  hath  taken  vengeance  for  thee  of  thine 
enemies,  even  of  the  children  of  Ammon.  And 
she  said  unto  her  father,  Let  this  thing  be  done  for 
me :  let  me  alone  two  months,  that  I  may  go  up 
and  down  upon  the  mountains,  and  bewail  my  vir- 
ginity, I  and  my  fellows.  And  he  said,  Go.  And 
he  sent  her  away  for  two  months :  and  she  went 
with  her  companions,  and  bewailed  her  virginity 
upon  the  mountains.  And  it  came  to  pass  at  the 
end  of  two  months,  that  she  returned  unto  her 
father,  who  did  with  her  according  to  his  vow  which 
he  had  vowed :  and  she  knew  no  man.  And  it  was 
a  custom  in  Israel,  that  the  daughters  of  Israel  went 
yearly  to  lament  the  daughter  of  Jephthah  the  Gil- 
eadite  four  days  in  a  year. 


SAMSON  141 

XXVIII. 
Samson. 

Judges  xiii.  24 — xvi. 

AND  the  woman  [Manoah's  wife]  bare  a  son,  and 
called  his  name  Samson :  and  the  child  grew,  and 
the  Lord  blessed  him.  And  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
began  to  move  him  at  times  in  the  camp  of  Dan 
between  Zorah  and  Eshtaol. 

And  Samson  went  down  to  Timnath,  and  saw  a 
woman  in  Timnath  of  the  daughters  of  the  Philis- 
tines. And  he  came  up,  and  told  his  father  and  his 
mother,  and  said,  I  have  seen  a  woman  in  Timnath 
of  the  daughters  of  the  Philistines :  now  therefore 
get  her  for  me  to  wife.  Then  his  father  and  his 
mother  said  unto  him,  Is  there  never  a  woman 
among  the  daughters  of  thy  brethren,  or  among  all 
my  people,  that  thou  goest  to  take  a  wife  of  the 
uncircumcised  Philistines?  And  Samson  said  unto 
his  father,  Get  her  for  me ;  for  she  pleaseth  me  well. 
But  his  father  and  his  mother  knew  not  that  it  was 
of  the  Lord,  that  he  sought  an  occasion  against 
the  Philistines :  for  at  that  time  the  Philistines  had 
dominion  over  Israel. 

Then  went  Samson  down,  and  his  father  and  his 
mother,  to  Timnath,  and  came  to  the  vineyards  of 
Timnath :  and,  behold,  a  young  lion  roared  against 
him.  And  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  mightily 
upon  him,  and  he  rent  him  as  he  would  have  rent  a 
kid,  and  he  had  nothing  in  his  hand :  but  he  told  not 
his  father  or  his  mother  what  he  had  done.  And 


I42  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

he  went  down,  and  talked  with  the  woman ;  and  she 
pleased  Samson  well.  And  after  a  time  he  returned 
to  take  her,  and  he  turned  aside  to  see  the  carcase 
of  the  lion :  and,  behold,  there  was  a  swarm  of  bees 
and  honey  in  the  carcase  of  the  lion.  And  he  took 
thereof  in  his  hands,  and  went  on  eating,  and  came 
to  his  father  and  mother,  and  he  gave  them,  and 
they  did  eat :  but  he  told  not  them  that  he  had  taken 
the  honey  out  of  the  carcase  of  the  lion. 

So  his  father  went  down  unto  the  woman :  and 
Samson  made  there  a  feast ;  for  so  used  the  young 
men  to  do.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  they  saw 
him,  that  they  brought  thirty  companions  to  be  with 
him.  And  Samson  said  unto  them,  I  will  now  put 
forth  a  riddle  unto  you:  if  ye  can  certainly  declare 
it  me  within  the  seven  days  of  the  feast,  and  find  it 
out,  then  I  will  give  you  thirty  sheets  and  thirty 
change  of  garments :  but  if  ye  cannot  declare  it 
me,  then  shall  ye  give  me  thirty  sheets  and  thirty 
change  of  garments.  And  they  said  unto  him,  Put 
forth  thy  riddle,  that  we  may  hear  it.  And  he  said 
unto  them,  Out  of  the  eater  came  forth  meat, 
and  out  of  the  strong  came  forth  sweetness.  And 
they  could  not  in  three  days  expound  the  riddle. 
And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  seventh  day,  that  they 
said  unto  Samson's  wife,  Entice  thy  husband,  that 
he  may  declare  unto  us  the  riddle,  lest  we  burn  thee 
and  thy  father's  house  with  fire :  have  ye  called  us 
to  take  that  we  have?  is  it  not  so?  And  Samson's 
wife  wept  before  him,  and  said,  Thou  dost  but  hate 
me,  and  lovest  me  not :  thou  hast  put  forth  a  riddle 
unto  the  children  of  my  people,  and  hast  not  told 
it  me.  And  he  said  unto  her,  Behold,  I  have  not 


SAMSON 

told  it  my  father  nor  my  mother,  and  shall  I  tell  it 
thee  ?  And  she  wept  before  him  the  seven  days, 
while  their  feast  lasted :  and  it  came  to  pass  on  the 
seventh  day,  that  he  told  her,  because  she  lay  sore 
upon  him:  and  she  told  the  riddle  to  the  children 
of  her  people.  And  the  men  of  the  city  said  unto 
him  on  the  seventh  day  before  the  sun  went  down, 
What  is  sweeter  than  honey?  and  what  is  stronger 
than  a  lion  ?  And  he  said  unto  them,  If  ye  had  not 
plowed  with  my  heifer,  ye  had  not  found  out  my 
riddle. 

And  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  upon  him,  and 
he  went  down  to  Ashkelon.  and  slew  thirty  men  of 
them,  and  took  their  spoil,  and  gave  change  of 
garments  unto  them  which  expounded  the  riddle. 
And  his  anger  was  kindled,  and  he  went  up  to  his 
father's  house.  But  Samson's  wife  was  given  to 
his  companion,  whom  he  had  used  as  his  friend. 
But  it  came  to  pass  within  a  while  after,  in  the  time 
of  wheat  harvest,  that  Samson  visited  his  wife  with 
a  kid;  and  he  said,  I  will  go  in  to  my  wife  into  the 
chamber.  But  her  father  would  not  suffer  him 
to  go  in.  And  her  father  said,  I  verily  thought 
that  thou  hadst  utterly  hated  her;  therefore  I  gave 
her  to  thy  companion :  is  not  her  younger  sister 
fairer  than  she?  take  her,  I  pray  thee,  instead  of 
her. 

And  Samson  said  concerning  them,  Now  shall 
I  be  more  blameless  than  the  Philistines,  though 
I  do  them  a  displeasure.  And  Samson  went  and 
caught  three  hundred  foxes,  and  took  firebrands, 
and  turned  tail  to  tail,  and  put  a  firebrand  in  the 
midst  between  two  tails.  And  when  he  had  set  the 


i44  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

brands  on  fire,  he  let  them  go  into  the  standing 
corn  of  the  Philistines,  and  burnt  up  both  the 
shocks,  and  also  the  standing  corn,  with  the  vine- 
yards and  olives.  Then  the  Philistines  said,  Who 
hath  done  this?  And  they  answered,  Samson,  the 
son  in  law  of  the  Timnite,  because  he  had  taken  his 
wife,  and  given  her  to  his  companion.  And  the 
Philistines  came  up,  and  burnt  her  and  her  father 
with  fire.  And  Samson  said  unto  them,  Though 
ye  have  clone  this,  yet  will  I  be  avenged  of  you,  and 
after  that  I  will  cease.  And  he  smote  them  hip  and 
thigh  with  a  great  slaughter :  and  he  went  down  and 
dwelt  in  the  top  of  the  rock  Etam. 

Then  the  Philistines  went  up,  and  pitched  in 
Judah,  and  spread  themselves  in  Lehi.  And  the 
men  of  Judah  said,  Why  are  ye  come  up  against 
us?  And  they  answered,  To  bind  Samson  are  we 
come  up,  to  do  to  him  as  he  hath  done  to  us.  Then 
three  thousand  men  of  Judah  went  to  the  top  of 
the  rock  Etam,  and  said  to  Samson,  Knowest  thou 
not  that  the  Philistines  are  rulers  over  us  ?  what  is 
this  that  thou  hast  done  unto  us?  And  he  said 
unto  them,  As  they  did  unto  me,  so  have  I  done 
unto  them.  And  they  said  unto  him,  We  are  come 
down  to  bind  thee,  that  we  may  deliver  thee  into 
the  hand  of  the  Philistines.  And  Samson  said  unto 
them,  Swear  unto  me,  that  ye  will  not  fall  upon 
me  yourselves.  And  they  spake  unto  him,  saying, 
No;  but  we  will  bind  thee  fast,  and  deliver  thee 
into  their  hand :  but  surely  we  will  not  kill  thee. 
And  they  bound  him  with  two  new  cords,  and 
brought  him  up  from  the  rock.  And  when  he  came 
unto  Lehi,  the  Philistines  shouted  against  him:  and 


SAMSON 

the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  mightily  upon  him, 
and  the  cords  that  were  upon  his  arms  became  as 
flax  that  was  burnt  with  fire,  and  his  bands  loosed 
from  off  his  hands.  And  he  found  a  new  jawbone 
of  an  ass,  and  put  forth  his  hand,  and  took  it,  and 
slew  a  thousand  men  therewith.  And  Samson  said, 
With  the  jawbone  of  an  ass,  heaps  upon  heaps,  with 
the  jaw  of  an  ass  have  I  slain  a  thousand  men. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  when  he  had  made  an  end  of 
speaking,  that  he  cast  away  the  jawbone  out  of  his 
hand,  and  called  that  place  Ramath-lehi  [i.e.  "  The 
hill  of  the  jawbone"]. 

And  he  was  sore  athirst,  and  called  on  the  Lord, 
and  said,  Thou  hast  given  this  great  deliverance 
into  the  hand  of  thy  servant :  and  now  shall  I  die 
for  thirst,  and  fall  into  the  hand  of  the  uncircum- 
cised?  But  God  clave  an  hollow  place  that  was  in 
the  jaw,  and  there  came  water  thereout;  and  when 
he  had  drunk,  his  spirit  came  again,  and  he  revived : 
wherefore  he  called  the  name  thereof  En-hakkore 
[i.e.  :  The  spring  of  him  that  called"],  which  is 
in  Lehi  unto  this  day.  And  he  judged  Israel  in  the 
days  of  the  Philistines  twenty  years. 

Then  went  Samson  down  to  Gaza,  and  saw  there 
an  harlot,  and  went  in  unto  her.  And  it  was  told  the 
Gazites,  saying,  Samson  is  come  hither.  And  they 
compassed  him  in,  and  laid  wait  for  him  all  night 
in  the  gate  of  the  city,  and  were  quiet  all  the  night, 
saying,  In  the  morning,  when  it  is  day,  we  shall 
kill  him.  And  Samson  lay  till  midnight,  and  arose 
at  midnight,  and  took  the  doors  of  the  gate  of  the 
city,  and  the  two  posts,  and  went  away  with  them, 
bar  and  all,  and  put  them  upon  his  shoulders,  and 


146  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

carried  them  up  to  the  top  of  an  hill  that  is  before 
Hebron. 

And  it  came  to  pass  afterward,  that  he  loved  a 
woman  in  the  valley  of  Sorek,  whose  name  was 
Delilah.  And  the  lords  of  the  Philistines  came  up 
unto  her,  and  said  unto  her,  Entice  him,  and  see 
wherein  his  great  strength  lieth,  and  by  what  means 
we  may  prevail  against  him,  that  we  may  bind  him 
to  afflict  him :  and  we  will  give  thee  every  one  of  us 
eleven  hundred  pieces  of  silver.  And  Delilah  said 
to  Samson,  Tell  me,  I  pray  thee,  wherein  thy  great 
strength  lieth,  and  wherewith  thou  mightest  be 
bound  to  afflict  thee.  And  Samson  said  unto  her, 
If  they  bind  me  with  seven  green  withs  that  were 
never  dried,  then  shall  I  be  weak,  and  be  as  another 
man.  Then  the  lords  of  the  Philistines  brought  up 
to  her  seven  green  withs  which  had  not  been 
dried,  and  she  bound  him  with  them.  Now  there 
were  men  lying  in  wait,  abiding  with  her  in  the 
chamber.  And  she  said  unto  him,  The  Philistines 
be  upon  thee,  Samson.  And  he  brake  the  withs, 
as  a  thread  of  tow  is  broken  when  it  toucheth  the 
fire.  So  his  strength  was  not  known. 

And  Delilah  said  unto  Samson,  Behold,  thou  hast 
mocked  me,  and  told  me  lies :  now  tell  me,  I  pray 
thee,  wherewith  thou  mightest  be  bound.  And  he 
said  unto  her,  If  they  bind  me  fast  with  new  ropes 
that  never  were  occupied,  then  shall  I  be  weak,  and 
be  as  another  man.  Delilah  therefore  took  new 
ropes,  and  bound  him  therewith,  and  said  unto  him, 
The  Philistines  be  upon  thee,  Samson.  And  there 
were  Hers  in  wait  abiding  in  the  chamber.  And  he 
brake  them  from  off  his  arms  like  a  thread.  And 


SAMSON  147 

Delilah  said  unto  Samson,  Hitherto  thou  hast 
mocked  me,  and  told  me  lies :  tell  me  wherewith 
thou  mightest  be  bound.  And  he  said  unto  her,  If 
thou  weavest  the  seven  locks  of  my  head  with  the 
web.  And  she  fastened  it  with  the  pin,  and  said 
unto  him,  The  Philistines  be  upon  thee,  Samson. 
And  he  awaked  out  of  his  sleep,  and  went  away  with 
the  pin  of  the  beam,  and  with  the  web. 

And  she  said  unto  him,  How  canst  thou  say,  I 
love  thee,  when  thine  heart  is  not  with  me?  Thou 
hast  mocked  me  these  three  times,  and  hast  not  told 
me  wherein  thy  great  strength  lieth.  And  it  came 
to  pass,  when  she  pressed  him  daily  with  her  words, 
and  urged  him,  so  that  his  soul  was  vexed  unto 
death ;  that  he  told  her  all  his  heart,  and  said  unto 
her,  There  hath  not  come  a  razor  upon  mine  head; 
for  I  have  been  a  Nazarite  unto  God  from  my 
mother's  womb:  if  I  be  shaven,  then  my  strength 
will  go  from  me,  and  I  shall  become  weak,  and 
be  like  any  other  man.  And  when  Delilah  saw  that 
he  had  told  her  all  his  heart,  she  sent  and  called  for 
the  lords  of  the  Philistines,  saying,  Come  up  this 
once,  for  he  hath  shewed  me  all  his  heart.  Then 
the  lords  of  the  Philistines  came  up  unto  her,  and 
brought  money  in  their  hand.  And  she  made  him 
sleep  upon  her  knees ;  and  she  called  for  a  man, 
and  she  caused  him  to  shave  off  the  seven  locks 
of  his  head ;  and  she  began  to  afflict  him,  and  his 
strength  went  from  him.  And  she  said,  The  Phi- 
listines be  upon  thee,  Samson.  And  he  awoke  out 
of  his  sleep,  and  said,  I  will  go  out  as  at  other  times 
before,  and  shake  myself.  And  he  wist  not  that 
the  Lord  was  departed  from  him. 


148  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

But  the  Philistines  took  him,  and  put  out  his  eyes, 
and  brought  him  down  to  Gaza,  and  bound  him  with 
fetters  of  brass ;  and  he  did  grind  in  the  prison 
house.  Howbeit  the  hair  of  his  head  began  to  grow 
again  after  he  was  shaven.  Then  the  lords  of  the 
Philistines  gathered  them  together  for  to  offer  a 
great  sacrifice  unto  Dagon  their  god,  and  to  rejoice : 
for  they  said,  Our  god  hath  delivered  Samson  our 
enemy  into  our  hand.  And  when  the  people  saw 
him,  they  praised  their  god :  for  they  said,  Our  god 
hath  delivered  into  our  hands  our  enemy,  and  the 
destroyer  of  our  country,  which  slew  many  of  us. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  when  their  hearts  were  merry, 
that  they  said,  Call  for  Samson,  that  he  may  make 
us  sport.  And  they  called  for  Samson  out  of  the 
prison  house ;  and  he  made  them  sport :  and  they 
set  him  between  the  pillars.  And  Samson  said 
unto  the  lad  that  held  him  by  the  hand,  Suffer  me 
that  I  may  feel  the  pillars  whereupon  the  house 
standeth,  that  I  may  lean  upon  them.  Now  the 
house  was  full  of  men  and  women ;  and  all  the 
lords  of  the  Philistines  were  there;  and  there  were 
upon  the  roof  about  three  thousand  men  and  women, 
that  beheld  while  Samson  made  sport.  And  Sam- 
son called  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  O  Lord  God, 
remember  me,  I  pray  thee,  and  strengthen  me,  I 
pray  thee,  only  this  once,  O  God,  that  I  may  be  at 
once  avenged  of  the  Philistines  for  my  two  eyes. 
And  Samson  took  hold  of  the  two  middle  pillars 
upon  which  the  house  stood,  and  on  which  it  was 
borne  up,  of  the  one  with  his  right  hand,  and  of  the 
other  with  his  left.  And  Samson  said,  Let  me  die 
with  the  Philistines.  And  he  bowed  himself  with 


RUTH 


149 


all  his  might ;  and  the  house  fell  upon  the  lords, 
and  upon  all  the  people  that  were  therein.  So  the 
dead  which  he  slew  at  his  death  were  more  than 
they  which  he  slew  in  his  life.  Then  his  brethren 
and  all  the  house  of  his  father  came  down,  and  took 
him,  and  brought  him  up,  and  buried  him  between 
Zorah  and  Eshtaol  in  the  buryingplace  of  Manoah 
his  father.  And  he  judged  Israel  twenty  years. 


XXIX. 
IRutb. 

Ruth. 

Now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  days  when  the  judges 
ruled,  that  there  was  a  famine  in  the  land.  And  a 
certain  man  of  Beth-lehem-judah  went  to  sojourn  in 
the  country  of  Moab,  he,  and  his  wife,  and  his  two 
sons.  And  the  name  of  the  man  was  Elimelech, 
and  the  name  of  his  wife  Naomi,  and  the  name  of 
his  two  sons  Mahlon  and  Chilion,  Ephrathites  of 
Beth-lehem-judah.  And  they  came  into  the  country 
of  Moab,  and  continued  there.  And  Elimelech 
Naomi's  husband  died;  and  she  was  left,  and  her 
two  sons.  And  they  took  them  wives  of  the  women 
of  Moab ;  the  name  of  the  one  was  Orpah,  and 
the  name  of  the  other  Ruth :  and  they  dwelled  there 
about  ten  years.  And  Mahlon  and  Chilion  died 
also  both  of  them ;  and  the  woman  was  left  of  her 
two  sons  and  her  husband. 

Then  she  arose  with  her  daughters  in  law,  that 
she  might  return  from  the  country  of  Moab :  for  she 


OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

had  heard  in  the  country  of  Moab  how  that  the 
Lord  had  visited  his  people  in  giving  them  bread. 
Wherefore  she  went  forth  out  of  the  place  where 
she  was,  and  her  two  daughters  in  law  with  her ; 
and  they  went  on  the  way  to  return  unto  the  land 
of  Judah.  And  Naomi  said  unto  her  two  daughters 
in  law,  Go,  return  each  to  her  mother's  house :  the 
Lord  deal  kindly  with  you,  as  ye  have  dealt  with 
the  dead,  and  with  me.  The  Lord  grant  you  that 
ye  may  find  rest,  each  of  you  in  the  house  of  her 
husband.  Then  she  kissed  them;  and  they  lifted 
up  their  voice,  and  wept.  And  they  said  unto  her, 
Surely  we  will  return  with  thee  unto  thy  people. 
And  Naomi  said,  Turn  again,  my  daughters :  why 
will  ye  go  with  me?  are  there  yet  any  more  sons  in 
my  womb,  that  they  may  be  your  husbands  ?  Turn 
again,  my  daughters,  go  your  way ;  for  I  am  too  old 
to  have  an  husband.  If  I  should  say,  I  have  hope, 
if  I  should  have  an  husband  also  to  night,  and  should 
also  bear  sons ;  would  ye  tarry  for  them  till  they 
were  grown?  would  ye  stay  for  them  from  having 
husbands  ?  nay,  my  daughters ;  for  it  grieveth  me 
much  for  your  sakes  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is 
gone  out  against  me.  And  they  lifted  up  their 
voice  and  wept  again :  and  Orpah  kissed  her  mother 
in  law ;  but  Ruth  clave  unto  her. 

And  she  said,  Behold,  thy  sister  in  law  is  gone 
back  unto  her  people,  and  unto  her  gods :  return 
thou  after  thy  sister  in  law.  And  Ruth  said, 
Intreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  or  to  return  from 
following  after  thee :  for  whither  thou  goest,  I  will 
go;  and  where  thou  lodgest,  I  will  lodge:  thy 
people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my 


RUTH  151 

God :  where  thou  diest,  will  I  die,  and  there 
will  I  be  buried:  the  Lord  do  so  to  me,  and  more 
also,  if  ought  but  death  part  thee  and  me.  When 
she  saw  that  she  was  stedfastly  minded  to  go  with 
her,  then  she  left  speaking  unto  her. 

So  they  two  went  until  they  came  to  Beth-lehem. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  when  they  were  come  to  Beth- 
lehem, that  all  the  city  was  moved  about  them,  and 
they  said,  Is  this  Naomi?  And  she  said  unto  them, 
Call  me  not  Naomi  [i.e.  "  Pleasant  "],  call  me  Mara 
[i.e.  "  Bitter  "]  :  for  the  Almighty  hath  dealt  very 
bitterly  with  me.  I  went  out  full,  and  the  Lord 
hath  brought  me  home  again  empty :  why  then  call 
ye  me  Naomi,  seeing  the  Lord  hath  testified  against 
me,  and  the  Almighty  hath  afflicted  me?  So 
Naomi  returned,  and  Ruth  the  Moabitess,  her 
daughter  in  law,  with  her,  which  returned  out  of 
the  country  of  Moab :  and  they  came  to  Beth-lehem 
in  the  beginning  of  barley  harvest. 

And  Naomi  had  a  kinsman  of  her  husband's,  a 
mighty  man  of  wealth,  of  the  family  of  Elimelech ; 
and  his  name  was  Boaz.  And  Ruth  the  Moabitess 
said  unto  Naomi,  Let  me  now  go  to  the  field,  and 
glean  ears  of  corn  after  him  in  whose  sight  I  shall 
find  grace.  And  she  said  unto  her,  Go,  my 
daughter.  And  she  went,  and  came,  and  gleaned 
in  the  field  after  the  reapers :  and  her  hap  was  to 
light  on  a  part  of  the  field  belonging  unto  Boaz, 
who  was  of  the  kindred  of  Elimelech. 

And,  behold,  Boaz  came  from  Beth-lehem,  and 
said  unto  the  reapers,  The  Lord  be  with  you.  And 
they  answered  him,  The  Lord  bless  thee.  Then 
said  Boaz  unto  his  servant  that  was  set  over  the 


152  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

reapers,  Whose  damsel  is  this  ?  And  the  servant 
that  was  set  over  the  reapers  answered  and  said, 
It  is  the  Moabitish  damsel  that  came  back  with 
Naomi  out  of  the  country  of  Moab :  and  she  said,  I 
pray  you,  let  me  glean  and  gather  after  the  reapers 
among  the  sheaves  :  so  she  came,  and  hath  continued 
even  from  the  morning  until  now,  that  she  tarried  a 
little  in  the  house.  Then  said  Boaz  unto  Ruth, 
Hearest  thou  not,  my  daughter?  Go  not  to  glean 
in  another  field,  neither  go  from  hence,  but  abide 
here  fast  by  my  maidens :  let  thine  eyes  be  on  the 
field  that  they  do  reap,  and  go  thou  after  them : 
have  I  not  charged  the  young  men  that  they  shall 
not  touch  thee?  and  when  thou  art  athirst,  go  unto 
the  vessels,  and  drink  of  that  which  the  young  men 
have  drawn.  Then  she  fell  on  her  face,  and  bowed 
herself  to  the  ground,  and  said  unto  him,  Why  have 
I  found  grace  in  thine  eyes,  that  thou  shouldest  take 
knowledge  of  me,  seeing  I  am  a  stranger?  And 
Boaz  answered  and  said  unto  her,  It  hath  fully  been 
shewed  me,  all  that  thou  hast  done  unto  thy  mother 
in  law  since  the  death  of  thine  husband;  and  how 
thou  hast  left  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  and  the 
land  of  thy  nativity,  and  art  come  unto  a  people 
which  thou  knewest  not  heretofore.  (The  Lord 
recompense  thy  work,  and  a  full  reward  be  given 
thee  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  under  whose  wings 
thou  art  come  to  trust.  Then  she  said,  Let  me  find 
favour  in  thy  sight,  my  lord;  for  that  thou  hast 
comforted  me,  and  for  that  thou  hast  spoken 
friendly  unto  thine  handmaid,  though  I  be  not  like 
unto  one  of  thine  handmaidens.  And  Boaz  said 
unto  her,  At  mealtime  come  thou  hither,  and  eat 


RUTH  153 

of  the  bread,  and  dip  thy  morsel  in  the  vinegar. 
And  she  sat  beside  the  reapers :  and  he  reached  her 
parched  corn,  and  she  did  eat,  and  was  sufficed,  and 
left.  And  when  she  was  risen  up  to  glean,  Boaz 
commanded  his  young  men,  saying,  Let  her  glean 
even  among  the  sheaves,  and  reproach  her  not : 
and  let  fall  also  some  of  the  handfuls  of  purpose 
for  her,  and  leave  them,  that  she  may  glean  them, 
and  rebuke  her  not.  So  she  gleaned  in  the  field 
until  even,  and  beat  out  that  she  had  gleaned :  and 
it  was  about  an  ephah  of  barley. 

And  she  took  it  up,  and  went  into  the  city :  and  her 
mother  in  law  saw  what  she  had  gleaned :  and  she 
brought  forth,  and  gave  to  her  that  she  had  reserved 
after  she  was  sufficed.  And  her  mother  in  law  said 
unto  her,  Where  hast  thoti  gleaned  to  day?  and 
where  wroughtest  thou?  blessed  be  he  that  did  take 
knowledge  of  thee.  And  she  shewed  her  mother 
in  law  with  whom  she  had  wrought,  and  said,  The 
man's  name  with  whom  I  wrought  to  day  is  Boaz. 
And  Naomi  said  unto  her  daughter  in  law,  Blessed 
be  he  of  the  Lord,  who  hath  not  left  off  his  kindness 
to  the  living  and  to  the  dead.  And  Naomi  said 
unto  her,  The  man  is  near  of  kin  unto  us,  one  of 
our  next  kinsmen.  And  Ruth  the  Moabitess  said, 
He  said  unto  me  also,  Thou  shalt  keep  fast  by  my 
young  men,  until  they  have  ended  all  my  harvest. 
And  Naomi  said  unto  Ruth  her  daughter  in  law,  It 
is  good,  my  daughter,  that  thou  go  out  with  his 
maidens,  that  they  meet  thee  not  in  any  other  field. 
So  she  kept  fast  by  the  maidens  of  Boaz  to  glean 
unto  the  end  of  barley  harvest  and  of  wheat  harvest ; 
and  dwelt  with  her  mother  in  law.  Then  Naomi 


154  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

her  mother  in  law  said  unto  her,  My  daughter,  shall 
I  not  seek  rest  for  thee,  that  it  may  be  well  with 
thee?  And  now  is  not  Boaz  of  our  kindred,  with 
whose  maidens  thou  wast?  Behold,  he  winnoweth 
barley  to  night  in  the  threshingfloor.  Wash  thyself 
therefore,  and  anoint  thee,  and  put  thy  raiment  upon 
thee,  and  get  thee  down  to  the  floor :  but  make  not 
thyself  known  unto  the  man,  until  he  shall  have 
done  eating  and  drinking.  And  it  shall  be,  when 
he  lieth  down,  that  thou  shalt  mark  the  place  where 
he  shall  lie,  and  thou  shalt  go  in,  and  uncover  his 
feet,  and  lay  thee  down;  and  he  will  tell  thee  what 
thou  shalt  do.  And  she  said  unto  her,  All  that  thou 
sayest  unto  me  I  will  do. 

And  she  went  down  unto  the  floor,  and  did 
according  to  all  that  her  mother  in  law  bade  her. 
And  when  Boaz  had  eaten  and  drunk,  and  his  heart 
was  merry,  he  went  to  lie  down  at  the  end  of  the 
heap  of  corn :  and  she  came  softly,  and  uncovered 
his  feet,  and  laid  her  down.  And  it  came  to  pass 
at  midnight,  that  the  man  was  afraid,  and  turned 
himself :  and,  behold,  a  woman  lay  at  his  feet.  And 
he  said,  Who  art  thou?  And  she  answered,  I  am 
Ruth  thine  handmaid:  spread  therefore  thy  skirt 
over  thine  handmaid ;  for  thou  art  a  near  kinsman. 
And  he  said,  Blessed  be  thou  of  the  Lord,  my 
daughter:  for  thou  hast  shewed  more  kindness  in 
the  latter  end  than  at  the  beginning,  inasmuch  as 
thou  followedst  not  young  men,  whether  poor  or 
rich.  And  now,  my  daughter,  fear  not ;  I  will  do 
to  thee  all  that  thou  requirest :  for  all  the  city  of 
my  people  cloth  know  that  thou  art  a  virtuous 
woman.  And  now  it  is  true  that  I  am  thy  near 


RUTH  155 

kinsman :  howbeit  there  is  a  kinsman  nearer  than  I. 
Tarry  this  night,  and  it  shall  be  in  the  morning, 
that  if  he  will  perform  unto  thee  the  part  of  a  kins- 
man, well ;  let  him  do  the  kinsman's  part :  but  if  he 
will  not  do  the  part  of  a  kinsman  to  thee,  then  will 
I  do  the  part  of  a  kinsman  to  thee,  as  the  Lord 
liveth :  lie  down  until  the  morning. 

And  she  lay  at  his  feet  until  the  morning :  and 
she  rose  up  before  one  could  know  another.  And 
he  said,  Let  it  not  be  known  that  a  woman  came 
into  the  floor.  Also  he  said,  Bring  the  vail  that 
thou  hast  upon  thee,  and  hold  it.  And  when  she 
held  it,  he  measured  six  measures  of  barley,  and 
laid  it  on  her :  and  she  went  into  the  city.  And 
when  she  came  to  her  mother  in  law,  she  said,  Who 
art  thou,  my  daughter?  And  she  told  her  all  that 
the  man  had  done  to  her.  And  she  said,  These  six 
measures  of  barley  gave  he  me ;  for  he  said  to  me, 
Go  not  empty  unto  thy  mother  in  law.  Then  said 
she,  Sit  still,  my  daughter,  until  thou  know  how 
the  matter  will  fall :  for  the  man  will  not  be  in  rest 
until  he  have  finished  the  thing  this  day. 

Then  went  Boaz  up  to  the  gate,  and  sat  him  down 
there :  and,  behold,  the  kinsman  of  whom  Boaz 
spake  came  by ;  unto  whom  he  said,  Ho,  such  a  one ! 
turn  aside,  sit  down  here.  And  he  turned  aside, 
and  sat  down.  And  he  took  ten  men  of  the  elders 
of  the  city,  and  said,  Sit  ye  down  here.  And  they 
sat  down.  And  he  said  unto  the  kinsman,  Naomi, 
that  is  come  again  out  of  the  country  of  Moab, 
selleth  a  parcel  of  land,  which  was  our  brother 
Elimelech's :  and  I  thought  to  advertise  thee,  say- 
ing, Buy  it  before  the  inhabitants,  and  before  the 


156  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

elders  of  my  people.  If  thou  wilt  redeem  it,  redeem 
it:  but  if  thou  wilt  not  redeem  it,  then  tell  me,  that 
I  may  know :  for  there  is  none  to  redeem  it  beside 
thee;  and  I  am  after  thee.  And  he  said,  I  will 
redeem  it.  Then  said  Boaz,  What  day  thou  buyest 
the  field  of  the  hand  of  Naomi,  thou  must  buy  it 
also  of  Ruth  the  Moabitess,  the  wife  of  the  dead,  to 
raise  up  the  name  of  the  dead  upon  his  inheritance. 
And  the  kinsman  said,  I  cannot  redeem  it  for  my- 
self, lest  I  mar  mine  own  inheritance :  redeem  thou 
my  right  to  thyself;  for  I  cannot  redeem  it.  Now 
this  was  the  manner  in  former  time  in  Israel  con- 
cerning redeeming  and  concerning  changing,  for  to 
confirm  all  things ;  a  man  plucked  off  his  shoe,  and 
gave  it  to  his  neighbour :  and  this  was  a  testimony 
in  Israel.  Therefore  the  kinsman  said  unto  Boaz, 
Buy  it  for  thee.  So  he  drew  off  his  shoe. 

And  Boaz  said  unto  the  elders,  and  unto  all 
the  people,  Ye  are  witnesses  this  day,  that  I  have 
bought  all  that  was  Elimelech's,  and  all  that  was 
Chilion's  and  Mahlon's,  of  the  hand  of  Naomi. 
Moreover  Ruth  the  Moabitess,  the  wife  of  Mahlon, 
have  I  purchased  to  be  my  wife,  to  raise  up  the 
name  of  the  dead  upon  his  inheritance,  that  the 
name  of  the  dead  be  not  cut  off  from  among  his 
brethren,  and  from  the  gate  of  his  place :  ye  are 
witnesses  this  day.  And  all  the  people  that  were  in 
the  gate,  and  the  elders,  said,  We  are  witnesses. 
The  Lord  make  the  woman  that  is  come  into  thine 
house  like  Rachel  and  like  Leah,  which  two  did 
build  the  house  of  Israel :  and  do  thou  worthily  in 
Ephratah,  and  be  famous  in  Beth-lehem :  and  let 
thy  house  be  like  the  house  of  Pharez,  whom  Tamar 


THE  CALL  OF  SAMUEL  157 

bare  unto  Judah,  of  the  seed  which  the  Lord  shall 
give  thee  of  this  young  woman. 

So  Boaz  took  Ruth,  and  she  was  his  wife:  and 
when  he  went  in  unto  her,  the  Lord  gave  her  con- 
ception, and  she  bare  a  son.  And  the  women  said 
unto  Naomi,  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  which  hath  not 
left  thee  this  day  without  a  kinsman,  that  his  name 
may  be  famous  in  Israel.  And  he  shall  be  unto  thee 
a  restorer  of  thy  life,  and  a  nourisher  of  thine  old 
age :  for  thy  daughter  in  la\v,  which  loveth  thee, 
which  is  better  to  thee  than  seven  sons,  hath  born 
him.  And  Naomi  took  the  child,  and  laid  it  in  her 
bosom  and  became  nurse  unto  it.  And  the  women 
her  neighbours  gave  it  a  name,  saying,  There  is  a 
son  born  to  Naomi ;  and  they  called  his  name  Obed : 
he  is  the  father  of  Jesse,  the  father  of  David. 

Now  these  are  the  generations  of  Pharez :  Pharez 
begat  Hezron,  and  Hezron  begat  Ram,  and  Ram 
begat  Amminadab,  and  Amminadab  begat  Nahshon, 
and  Nahshon  begat  Salmon,  and  Salmon  begat 
Boaz,  and  Boaz  begat  Obed,  and  Obed  begat  Jesse, 
and  Jesse  begat?  David. 


XXX. 

Cbe  Call  of  Samuel, 

i  Samuel  iii.  1-20. 

AND  the  child  Samuel  ministered  unto  the  Lord 
before  Eli.  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  precious 
in  those  days ;  there  was  no  open  vision.  And  it 
came  to  pass  at  that  time,  when  Eli  was  laid  down 


158  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

in  his  place,  and  his  eyes  began  to  wax  dim,  that 
he  could  not  see;  and  ere  the  lamp  of  God  went 
out  in  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  where  the  ark  of 
God  was,  and  Samuel  was  laid  down  to  sleep;  that 
the  Lord  called  Samuel :  and  he  answered,  Here  am 
I.  And  he  ran  unto  Eli,  and  said,  Here  am  I ;  for 
thou  calledst  me.  And  he  said,  I  called  not ;  lie 
down  again.  And  he  went  and  lay  down.  And 
the  Lord  called  yet  again,  Samuel.  And  Samuel 
arose  and  went  to  Eli,  and  said,  Here  am  I ;  for 
thou  didst  call  me.  And  he  answered,  I  called  not, 
my  son ;  lie  down  again.  Now  Samuel  did  not  yet 
know  the  Lord,  neither  was  the  word  of  the  Lord 
yet  revealed  unto  him.  And  the  Lord  called  Samuel 
again  the  third  time.  And  he  arose  and  went  to 
Eli,  and  said,  Here  am  I ;  for  thou  didst  call  me. 
And  Eli  perceived  that  the  Lord  had  called  the 
child.  Therefore  Eli  said  unto  Samuel,  Go,  lie 
down :  and  it  shall  be,  if  he  call  thee,  that  thou  shalt 
say,  Speak,  Lord ;  for  thy  servant  heareth.  So 
Samuel  went  and  lay  down  in  his  place.  And  the 
Lord  came,  and  stood,  and  called  as  at  other  times, 
Samuel,  Samuel.  Then  Samuel  answered,  Speak ; 
for  thy  servant  heareth. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Samuel,  Behold,  I  will  do  a 
thing  in  Israel,  at  which  both  the  ears  of  every  one 
that  heareth  it  shall  tingle.  In  that  day  I  will  per- 
form against  Eli  all  things  which  I  have  spoken 
concerning  his  house :  when  I  begin,  I  will  also 
make  an  end.  For  I  have  told  him  that  I  will  judge 
his  house  for  ever  for  the  iniquity  which  he 
knoweth ;  because  his  sons  made  themselves  vile, 
and  he  restrained  them  not.  And  therefore  I  have 


THE  ARK  OF  THE  COVENANT  159 

sworn  unto  the  house  of  Eli,  that  the  iniquity  of 
Eli's  house  shall  not  be  purged  with  sacrifice  nor 
offering  for  ever. 

And  Samuel  lay  until  the  morning,  and  opened 
the  doors  of  the  house  of  the  Lord.  And  Samuel 
feared  to  shew  Eli  the  vision.  Then  Eli  called 
Samuel,  and  said,  Samuel,  my  son.  And  he  an- 
swered, Here  am  I.  And  he  said,  What  is  the 
thing  that  the  Lord  hath  said  unto  thee?  I  pray 
thee  hide  it  not  from  me :  God  do  so  to  thee,  and 
more  also,  if  thou  hide  any  thing  from  me  of  all  the 
things  that  he  said  unto  thee.  And  Samuel  told 
him  every  whit,  and  hid  nothing  from  him.  And 
he  said,  It  is  the  Lord :  let  him  do  what  seemeth 
him  good. 

And  Samuel  grew,  and  the  Lord  was  with  him, 
and  did  let  none  of  his  words  fall  to  the  ground. 
And  all  Israel  from  Dan  even  to  Beer-sheba  knew 
that  Samuel  was  established  to  be  a  prophet  of  the 
Lord. 


XXXI. 

Brfc  of  tbe  Covenant. 

i  Samuel  iv.  1-18. 

AND  the  word  of  Samuel  came  to  all  Israel. 
Now  Israel  went  out  against  the  Philistines  to 
battle,  and  pitched  beside  Eben-ezer:  and  the  Phi- 
listines pitched  in  Aphek.  And  the  Philistines  put 
themselves  in  array  against  Israel :  and  when  they 
joined  battle,  Israel  was  smitten  before  the  Philis- 


160  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

tines :  and  they  slew  of  the  army  in  the  field  about 
four  thousand  men.  And  when  the  people  were 
come  into  the  camp,  the  elders  of  Israel  said,  Where- 
fore hath  the  Lord  smitten  us  to  day  before  the 
Philistines?  Let  us  fetch  the  ark  of  the  covenant 
of  the  Lord  out  of  Shiloh  unto  us,  that,  when  it 
cometh  among  us,  it  may  save  us  out  of  the  hand  of 
our  enemies.  So  the  people  sent  to  Shiloh,  that 
they  might  bring  from  thence  the  ark  of  the  cove- 
nant of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  which  dwelleth  between 
the  cherubims :  and  the  two  sons  of  Eli,  Hophni  and 
Phinehas,  were  there  with  the  ark  of  the  covenant 
of  God.  And  when  the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the 
Lord  came  into  the  camp,  all  Israel  shouted  with  a 
great  shout,  so  that  the  earth  rang  again.  And 
when  the  Philistines  heard  the  noise  of  the  shout, 
they  said,  What  meaneth  the  noise  of  this  great 
shout  in  the  camp  of  the  Hebrews?  And  they  un- 
derstood that  the  ark  of  the  Lord  was  come  into 
the  camp.  And  the  Philistines  were  afraid,  for 
they  said,  God  is  come  into  the  camp.  And  they 
said,  Woe  unto  us !  for  there  hath  not  been  such  a 
thing  heretofore.  Woe  unto  us !  who  shall  deliver 
us  out  of  the  hand  of  these  mighty  Gods  ?  these  are 
the  Gods  that  smote  the  Egyptians  with  all  the 
plagues  in  the  wilderness.  Be  strong,  and  quit 
yourselves  like  men,  O  ye  Philistines,  that  ye  be 
not  servants  unto  the  Hebrews,  as  they  have  been 
to  you :  quit  yourselves  like  men,  and  fight.  And 
the  Philistines  fought,  and  Israel  was  smitten,  and 
they  fled  every  man  into  his  tent :  and  there  was  a 
very  great  slaughter;  for  there  fell  of  Israel  thirty 
thousand  footmen.  And  the  ark  of  God  was  taken ; 


THE  ANOINTING  OF  SAUL  161 

and  the  two  sons  of  Eli,  Hophni  and  Phinehas,  were 
slain. 

And  there  ran  a  man  of  Benjamin  out  of  the 
army,  and  came  to  Shiloh  the  same  day  with  his 
clothes  rent,  and  with  earth  upon  his  head.  And 
when  he  came,  lo,  Eli  sat  upon  a  seat  by  the  way- 
side watching:  for  his  heart  trembled  for  the  ark 
of  God.  And  when  the  man  came  into  the  city, 
and  told  it,  all  the  city  cried  out.  And  when  Eli 
heard  the  noise  of  the  crying,  he  said,  What 
meaneth  the  noise  of  this  tumult?  And  the  man 
came  in  hastily,  and  told  Eli.  Now  Eli  was  ninety 
and  eight  years  old  ;  and  his  eyes  were  dim,  that 
he  could  not  see.  And  the  man  said  unto  Eli,  I  am 
he  that  came  out  of  the  army,  and  I  fled  to  day  out 
of  the  army.  And  he  said,  What  is  there  done,  my 
son?  And  the  messenger  answered  and  said,  Israel 
is  fled  before  the  Philistines,  and  there  hath  been 
also  a  great  slaughter  among  the  people,  and  thy 
two  sons  also,  Hophni  and  Phinehas,  are  dead,  and 
the  ark  of  God  is  taken.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when 
he  made  mention  of  the  ark  of  God,  that  he  fell 
from  off  the  seat  backward  by  the  side  of  the  gate, 
and  his  neck  brake,  and  he  died  :  for  he  was  an  old 
man,  and  heavy.  And  he  had  judged  Israel  forty 
years. 

XXXII. 


Gbe  Bnolnting  of  Saul. 

i  Samuel  viii.  —  x.  9. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  when  Samuel  was  old,  that 
he  made  his   sons  judges   over  Israel.     Now  the 


162  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

name  of  his  firstborn  was  Joel ;  and  the  name  of  his 
second,  Abiah:  they  were  judges  in  Beer-sheba. 
And  his  sons  walked  not  in  his  ways,  but  turned 
aside  after  lucre,  and  took  bribes,  and  perverted 
judgment.  Then  all  the  elders  of  Israel  gathered 
themselves  together,  and  came  to  Samuel  unto 
Ramah,  and  said  unto  him,  Behold,  thou  art  old, 
and  thy  sons  walk  not  in  thy  ways :  now  make  us  a 
king  to  judge  us  like  all  the  nations. 

But  the  thing  displeased  Samuel,  when  they  said, 
Give  us  a  king  to  judge  us.  And  Samuel  prayed 
unto  the  Lord.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Samuel, 
Hearken  unto  the  voice  of  the  people  in  all  that 
they  say  unto  thee :  for  they  have  not  rejected  thee, 
but  they  have  rejected  me,  that  I  should  not  reign 
over  them.  According  to  all  the  works  which  they 
have  done  since  the  day  that  I  brought  them  up  out 
of  Egypt  even  unto  this  day,  wherewith  they  have 
forsaken  me,  and  served  other  gods,  so  do  they 
also  unto  thee.  Now  therefore  hearken  unto  their 
voice :  howbeit  yet  protest  solemnly  unto  them,  and 
shew  them  the  manner  of  the  king  that  shall  reign 
over  them. 

And  Samuel  told  all  the  words  of  the  Lord  unto 
the  people  that  asked  of  him  a  king.  And  he  said, 
This  will  be  the  manner  of  the  king  that  shall  reign 
over  you :  he  will  take  your  sons,  and  appoint  them 
for  himself,  for  his  chariots,  and  to  be  his  horse- 
men; and  some  shall  run  before  his  chariots.  And 
he  will  appoint  him  captains  over  thousands,  and 
captains  over  fifties;  and  will  set  them  to  ear  [i.e. 
'  plough  "]  his  ground,  and  to  reap  his  harvest,  and 
to  make  his  instruments  of  war,  and  instruments  of 


THE  ANOINTING  OF  SAUL  163 

his  chariots.  And  he  will  take  your  daughters  to  be 
confectionaries,  and  to  he  cooks,  and  to  be  bakers. 
And  he  will  take  your  fields,  and  your  vineyards, 
and  your  oliveyards,  even  the  best  of  them,  and 
give  them  to  his  servants.  And  he  will  take  the 
tenth  of  your  seed,  and  of  your  vineyards,  and  give 
to  his  officers,  and  to  his  servants.  And  he  will  take 
your  menservants,  and  your  maidservants,  and  your 
goodliest  young  men,  and  your  asses,  and  put  them 
to  his  work.  He  will  take  the  tenth  of  your  sheep : 
and  ye  shall  be  his  servants.  And  ye  shall  cry  out 
in  that  day  because  of  your  king  which  ye  shall 
have  chosen  you ;  and  the  Lord  will  not  hear  you 
in  that  day. 

Nevertheless  the  people  refused  to  obey  the  voice 
of  Samuel ;  and  they  said,  Nay ;  but  we  will  have  a 
king  over  us ;  that  we  also  may  be  like  all  the 
nations ;  and  that  our  king  may  judge  us,  and  go 
out  before  us,  and  fight  our  battles.  And  Samuel 
heard  all  the  words  of  the  people,  and  he  rehearsed 
them  in  the  ears  of  the  Lord.  And  the  Lord  said 
to  Samuel,  Hearken  unto  their  voice,  and  make 
them  a  king.  And  Samuel  said  unto  the  men  of 
Israel,  Go  ye  every  man  unto  his  city. 

Now  there  was  a  man  of  Benjamin,  whose  name 
was  Kish,  the  son  of  Abiel,  the  son  of  Zeror,  the 
son  of  Bechorath,  the  son  of  Aphiah,  a  Benjamite,  a 
mighty  man  of  power.  And  he  had  a  son,  whose 
name  was  Saul,  a  choice  young  man,  and  a  goodly : 
and  there  was  not  among  the  children  of  Israel  a 
goodlier  person  that  he :  from  his  shoulders  and 
upward  he  was  higher  than  any  of  the  people. 

And  the  asses  of  Kish  Saul's  father  were  lost. 


164  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  Kish  said  to  Saul  his  son,  Take  now  one  of 
the  servants  with  thee,  and  arise,  go  seek  the  asses. 
And  he  passed  through  mount  Ephraim,  and  passed 
through  the  land  of  Shalisha,  but  they  found  them 
not:  then  they  passed  through  the  land  of  Shalim, 
and  there  they  were  not :  and  he  passed  through 
the  land  of  the  Benjamites,  but  they  found  them 
not.  And  when  they  were  once  come  to  the  land 
of  Zuph,  Saul  said  to  his  servant  that  was  with  him, 
Come,  and  let  us  return ;  lest  my  father  leave  caring 
for  the  asses,  and  take  thought  for  us.  And  he  said 
unto  him,  Behold  now,  there  is  in  this  city  a  man 
of  God,  and  he  is  an  honourable  man ;  all  that  he 
saith  cometh  surely  to  pass :  now  let  us  go  thither ; 
peradventure  he  can  shew  us  our  way  that  we 
should  go.  Then  said  Saul  to  his  servant,  But, 
behold,  if  we  go,  what  shall  we  bring  the  man?  for 
the  bread  is  spent  in  our  vessels,  and  there  is  not  a 
present  to  bring  to  the  man  of  God :  what  have  we? 
And  the  servant  answered  Saul  again,  and  said, 
Behold,  I  have  here  at  hand  the  fourth  part  of  a 
shekel  of  silver :  that  will  I  give  to  the  man  of  God, 
to  tell  us  our  way.  (Beforetime  in  Israel,  when  a 
man  went  to  enquire  of  God,  thus  he  spake,  Come, 
and  let  us  go  to  the  seer:  for  he  that  is  now  called 
a  Prophet  was  beforetime  called  a  Seer.)  Then 
said  Saul  to  his  servant,  Well  said ;  come,  let  us  go. 
So  they  went  unto  the  city  where  the  man  of  God 
was. 

And  as  they  went  up  the  hill  to  the  city,  they 
found  young  maidens  going  out  to  draw  water,  and 
said  unto  them,  Is  the  seer  here?  And  they 
answered  them,  and  said,  He  is ;  behold,  he  is  before 


THE  ANOINTING  OF  SAUL  165 

you:  make  haste  now,  for  he  came  to  day  to  the 
city ;  for  there  is  a  sacrifice  of  the  people  to  day  in 
the  high  place :  as  soon  as  ye  come  into  the  city,  ye 
shall  straightway  find  him,  before  he  go  up  to  the 
high  place  to  eat :  for  the  people  will  not  eat  until 
he  come,  because  he  doth  bless  the  sacrifice ;  and 
afterwards  they  eat  that  be  bidden.  Now  therefore 
get  you  up ;  for  about  this  time  ye  shall  find  him. 
And  they  went  up  into  the  city :  and  when  they  were 
come  into  the  city,  behold,  Samuel  came  out  against 
them,  for  to  go  up  to  the  high  place. 

Now  the  Lord  had  told  Samuel  in  his  ear  a  clay 
before  Saul  came,  saying,  To  morrow  about  this 
time  I  will  send  thee  a  man  out  of  the  land  of  Ben- 
jamin, and  thou  shalt  anoint  him  to  be  captain  over 
my  people  Israel,  that  he  may  save  my  people  out 
of  the  hand  of  the  Philistines :  for  I  have  looked 
upon  my  people,  because  their  cry  is  come  unto  me. 
And  when  Samuel  saw  Saul,  the  Lord  said  unto 
him,  Behold  the  man  whom  I  spake  to  thee  of ! 
this  same  shall  reign  over  my  people.  Then  Saul 
drew  near  to  Samuel  in  the  gate,  and  said,  Tell  me, 
I  pray  thee,  where  the  seer's  house  is.  And  Samuel 
answered  Saul,  and  said,  I  am  the  seer:  go  up  be- 
fore me  unto  the  high  place ;  for  ye  shall  eat  with 
me  to  day,  and  to  morrow  I  will  let  thee  go,  and 
will  tell  thee  all  that  is  in  thine  heart.  And  as  for 
thine  asses  that  were  lost  three  days  ago,  set  not  thy 
mind  on  them ;  for  they  are  found.  And  on  whom 
is  all  the  desire  of  Israel?  Is  it  not  on  thee,  and 
on  all  thy  father's  house?  And  Saul  answered  and 
said,  Am  not  I  a  Benjamite,  of  the  smallest  of  the 
tribes  of  Israel?  and  my  family  the  least  of  all  the 


1 66  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

families  of  the  tribe  of  Benjamin?  wherefore  then 
speakest  them  so  to  me?  And  Samuel  took  Saul 
and  his  servant,  and  brought  them  into  the  parlour, 
and  made  them  sit  in  the  chief est  place  among  them 
that  were  bidden,  which  were  about  thirty  persons. 
And  Samuel  said  unto  the  cook,  Bring  the  portion 
which  I  gave  thee,  of  which  I  said  unto  thee,  Set  it 
by  thee.  And  the  cook  took  up  the  shoulder,  and 
that  which  was  upon  it,  and  set  it  before  Saul.  And 
Samuel  said,  Behold  that  which  is  left !  set  it  before 
thee,  and  eat :  for  unto  this  time  hath  it  been  kept 
for  thee  since  I  said,  I  have  invited  the  people.  So 
Saul  did  eat  with  Samuel  that  day. 

And  when  they  were  come  down  from  the  high 
place  into  the  city,  Samuel  communed  with  Saul 
upon  the  top  of  the  house.  And  they  arose  early : 
and  it  came  to  pass  about  the  spring  of  the  day, 
that  Samuel  called  Saul  to  the  top  of  the  house, 
saying,  Up,  that  I  may  send  thee  away.  And  Saul 
arose,  and  they  went  out  both  of  them,  he  and 
Samuel,  abroad.  And  as  they  were  going  down  to 
the  end  of  the  city,  Samuel  said  to  Saul,  Bid  the 
servant  pass  on  before  us,  (and  he  passed  on,)  but 
stand  thou  still  a  while,  that  I  may  shew  thee  the 
word  of  God. 

Then  Samuel  took  a  vial  of  oil,  and  poured  it 
upon  his  head,  and  kissed  him,  and  said,  Is  it  not 
because  the  Lord  hath  anointed  thee  to  be  captain 
over  his  inheritance?  When  thou  art  departed 
from  me  to  day,  then  thou  shalt  find  two  men  by 
Rachel's  sepulchre  in  the  border  of  Benjamin  at 
Zelzah ;  and  they  will  say  unto  thee,  The  asses 
which  thou  vventest  to  seek  are  found :  and,  lo,  thy 


THE  ANOINTING  OF  SAUL  167 

father  hath  left  the  care  of  the  asses,  and  sorroweth 
for  you,  saying,  What  shall  I  do  for  my  son? 
Then  shalt  thou  go  on  forward  from  thence, 
and  thou  shalt  come  to  the  plain  of  Tabor,  and 
there  shall  meet  thee  three  men  going  up  to  God 
to  Beth-el,  one  carrying  three  kids,  and  another 
carrying  three  loaves  of  bread,  and  another 
carrying  a  bottle  of  wine :  and  they  will  salute 
thee,  and  give  thee  two  loaves  of  bread ;  which 
thou  shalt  receive  of  their  hands.  After  that 
thou  shalt  come  to  the  hill  of  God,  where  is  the 
garrison  of  the  Philistines :  and  it  shall  come  to  pass, 
when  thou  are  come  thither  to  the  city,  that  thou 
shalt  meet  a  company  of  prophets  coming  down 
from  the  high  place  with  a  psaltery,  and  a  tabret, 
and  a  pipe,  and  a  harp,  before  them ;  and  they  shall 
prophesy :  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  will  come 
upon  thee,  and  thou  shalt  prophesy  with  them,  and 
shalt  be  turned  into  another  man.  And  let  it  be, 
when  these  signs  are  come  unto  thee,  that  thou  do 
as  occasion  serve  thee ;  for  God  is  with  thee.  And 
thou  shalt  go  down  before  me  to  Gilgal ;  and,  behold, 
I  will  come  down  unto  thee,  to  offer  burnt  offerings, 
and  to  sacrifice  sacrifices  of  peace  offerings :  seven 
days  shalt  thou  tarry,  till  I  come  to  thee,  and  shew 
thee  what  thou  shalt  do. 

And  it  was  so,  that  when  he  had  turned  his  back 
to  go  from  Samuel,  God  gave  him  another  heart: 
and  all  those  signs  came  to  pass  that  day. 


1 68  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

XXXIII. 

Sonatban  anfc  bis  Bimouvbcarer. 

i  Samuel  xiv.  1-23. 

Now  it  came  to  pass  upon  a  day,  that  Jonathan  the 
son  of  Saul  said  unto  the  young  man  that  bare  his 
armour,  Come,  and  let  us  go  over  to  the  Philistines' 
garrison,  that  is  on  the  other  side.  But  he  told  not 
his  father.  And  Saul  tarried  in  the  uttermost  part 
of  Gibeah  under  a  pomegranate  tree  which  is  in 
Migron:  and  the  people  that  were  with  him  were 
about  six  hundred  men ;  and  Ahiah,  the  son  of 
Ahitub,  I-chabod's  brother,  the  son  of  Phinehas,  the 
son  of  Eli,  the  Lord's  priest  in  Shiloh,  wearing  an 
ephod.  And  the  people  knew  not  that  Jonathan 
was  gone. 

And  between  the  passages,  by  which  Jonathan 
sought  to  go  over  unto  the  Philistines'  garrison, 
there  was  a  sharp  rock  on  the  one  side,  and  a  sharp 
rock  on  the  other  side :  and  the  name  of  the  one 
was  Bozez,  and  the  name  of  the  other  Seneh.  The 
forefront  of  the  one  was  situate  northward  over 
against  Michmash,  and  the  other  southward  over 
against  Gibeah.  And  Jonathan  said  to  the  young 
man  that  bare  his  armour,  Come,  and  let  us  go  over 
unto  the  garrison  of  these  uncircumcised :  it  may 
be  that  the  Lord  will  work  for  us :  for  there  is  no 
restraint  to  the  Lord  to  save  by  many  or  by  few. 

And  his  armourbearer  said  unto  him,  Do  all  that 
is  in  thy  heart :  turn  thee ;  behold,  I  am  with  thee 
according  to  thy  heart.  Then  said  Jonathan,  Be- 


JONATHAN  AND  HIS  ARMOURBEARER     169 

hold,  we  will  pass  over  unto  these  men,  and  we 
will  discover  ourselves  unto  them.  If  they  say  thus 
unto  us,  Tarry  until  we  come  to  you ;  then  \ve  will 
stand  still  in  our  place,  and  will  not  go  up  unto  them. 
But  if  they  say  thus,  Come  up  unto  us ;  then  we  will 
go  up :  for  the  Lord  hath  delivered  them  into  our 
hand:  and  this  shall  be  a  sign  unto  us.  And  both 
of  them  discovered  themselves  unto  the  garrison  of 
the  Philistines :  and  the  Philistines  said,  Behold,  the 
Hebrews  come  forth  out  of  the  holes  where  they 
had  hid  themselves.  And  the  men  of  the  garrison 
answered  Jonathan  and  his  armourbearer,  and  said, 
Come  up  to  us,  and  we  will  shew  you  a  thing.  And 
Jonathan  said  unto  his  armourbearer,  Come  up 
after  me :  for  the  Lord  hath  delivered  them  into  the 
hand  of  Israel.  And  Jonathan  climbed  up  upon 
his  hands  and  upon  his  feet,  and  his  armourbearer 
after  him :  and  they  fell  before  Jonathan ;  and 
his  armourbearer  slew  after  him.  And  that  first 
slaughter,  which  Jonathan  and  his  armourbearer 
made,  was  about  twenty  men,  within  as  it  were  an 
half  acre  of  land,  which  a  yoke  of  oxen  might 
plow. 

And  there  was  trembling  in  the  host,  in  the  field, 
and  among  all  the  people :  the  garrison,  and  the 
spoilers,  they  also  trembled,  and  the  earth  quaked : 
so  it  was  a  very  great  trembling.  And  the  watch- 
men of  Saul  in  Gibeah  of  Benjamin  looked;  and 
behold,  the  multitude  melted  away,  and  they  went 
on  beating  down  one  another.  Then  said  Saul  unto 
the  people  that  were  with  him,  Number  now,  and 
see  who  is  gone  from  us.  And  when  they  had 
numbered,  behold,  Jonathan  and  his  armourbearer 


170  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

• 

were  not  there.  And  Saul  said  unto  Ahiah,  Bring 
hither  the  ark  of  God.  For  the  ark  of  God  was  at 
that  time  with  the  children  of  Israel.  And  it  came 
to  pass,  while  Saul  talked  unto  the  priest,  that  the 
noise  that  was  in  the  host  of  the  Philistines  went  on 
and  increased :  and  Saul  said  unto  the  priest,  With- 
draw thine  hand.  And  Saul  and  all  the  people  that 
were  with  him  assembled  themselves,  and  they  came 
to  the  battle :  and,  behold,  every  man's  sword  was 
against  his  fellow,  and  there  was  a  very  great  dis- 
comfiture. Moreover  the  Hebrews  that  were  with 
the  Philistines  before  that  time,  which  went  up  with 
them  into  the  camp  from  the  country  round  about, 
even  they  also  turned  to  be  with  the  Israelites  that 
were  with  Saul  and  Jonathan.  Likewise  all  the 
men  of  Israel  which  had  hid  themselves  in  mount 
Ephraim,  when  they  heard  that  the  Philistines  fled, 
even  they  also  followed  hard  after  them  in  the 
battle.  So  the  Lord  saved  Israel  that  day :  and  the 
battle  passed  over  unto  Beth-aven. 


XXXIV. 

Saul's  Disobedience. 

i  Samuel  xv. 

SAMUEL  also  said  unto  Saul,  The  Lord  sent  me 
to  anoint  thee  to  be  king  over  his  people,  over  Israel : 
now  therefore  hearken  thou  unto  the  voice  of  the 
words  of  the  Lord.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
I  remember  that  which  Amalek  did  to  Israel,  how 
he  laid  wait  for  him  in  the  way,  when  he  came  up 


SA  UL'S  DISOBEDIENCE  1 7 1 

from  Egpyt.  Now  go  and  smite  Amalek,  and 
utterly  destroy  all  that  they  have,  and  spare  them 
not;  but  slay  both  man  and  woman,  infant  and 
suckling,  ox  and  sheep,  camel  and  ass. 

And  Saul  gathered  the  people  together,  and  num- 
bered them  in  Telaim,  two  hundred  thousand  foot- 
men, and  ten  thousand  men  of  Judah.  And  Saul 
came  to  a  city  of  Amalek,  and  laid  wait  in  the  valley. 
And  Saul  said  unto  the  Kenites,  Go,  depart,  get 
you  down  from  among  the  Amalekites,  lest  I 
destroy  you  with  them :  for  ye  shewed  kindness  to 
all  the  children  of  Israel,  when  they  came  up  out  of 
Egypt.  So  the  Kenites  departed  from  among  the 
Amalekites.  And  Saul  smote  the  Amalekites  from 
Havilah  until  thou  comest  to  Shur,  that  is  over 
against  Egypt.  And  he  took  Agag  the  king  of  the 
Amalekites  alive,  and  utterly  destroyed  all  the  peo- 
ple with  the  edge  of  the  sword.  But  Saul  and  the 
people  spared  Agag,  and  the  best  of  the  sheep,  and 
of  the  oxen,  and  of  the  fatlings,  and  the  lambs,  and 
all  that  was  good,  and  would  not  utterly  destroy 
them :  but  every  thing  that  was  vile  and  refuse,  that 
they  destroyed  utterly. 

Then  came  the  word  of  the  Lord  unto  Samuel, 
saying,  It  repenteth  me  that  I  have  set  up  Saul  to 
be  king:  for  he  is  turned  back  from  following  me, 
and  hath  not  performed  my  commandments.  And 
it  grieved  Samuel ;  and  he  cried  unto  the  Lord  all 
night.  And  when  Samuel  rose  early  to  meet  Saul 
in  the  morning,  it  was  told  Samuel,  saying,  Saul 
came  to  Carmel,  and,  behold,  he  set  him  up  a  place, 
and  is  gone  about,  and  passed  on,  and  gone  down 
to  Gilgal.  And  Samuel  came  to  Saul:  and  Saul 


i7 2  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

said  unto  him.  Blessed  be  thou  of  the  Lord :  I  have 
performed  the  commandment  of  the  Lord.  And 
Samuel  said,  What  meaneth  then  this  bleating  of  the 
sheep  in  mine  ears,  and  the  lowing  of  the  oxen 
which  I  hear?  And  Saul  said,  They  have  brought 
them  from  the  Amalekites :  for  the  people  spared 
the  best  of  the  sheep  and  of  the  oxen,  to  sacrifice 
unto  the  Lord  thy  God;  and  the  rest  we  have 
utterly  destroyed.  Then  Samuel  said  unto  Saul, 
Stay,  and  I  will  tell  thee  what  the  Lord  hath  said 
to  me  this  night.  And  he  said  unto  him,  Say  on. 
And  Samuel  said,  When  thou  wast  little  in  thine 
own  sight,  wast  thou  not  made  the  head  of  the  tribes 
of  Israel,  and  the  Lord  anointed  thee  king  over 
Israel?  And  the  Lord  sent  thee  on  a  journey,  and 
said,  Go  and  utterly  destroy  the  sinners  the  Amalek- 
ites, and  fight  against  them  until  they  be  consumed. 
Wherefore  then  didst  thou  not  obey  the  voice  of 
the  Lord,  but  didst  fly  upon  the  spoil,  and  didst  evil 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord?  And  Saul  said  unto 
Samuel,  Yea,  I  have  obeyed  the  voice  of  the  Lord, 
and  have  gone  the  way  which  the  Lord  sent  me,  and 
have  brought  Agag  the  king  of  Amalek,  and  have 
utterly  destroyed  the  Amalekites.  But  the  people 
took  of  the  spoil,  sheep  and  oxen,  the  chief  of  the 
things  which  should  have  been  utterly  destroyed,  to 
sacrifice  unto  the  Lord  thy  God  in  Gilgal.  And 
Samuel  said,  Hath  the  Lord  as  great  delight  in 
burnt  offerings  and  sacrifices,  as  in  obeying  the 
voice  of  the  Lord?  Behold,  to  obey  is  better  than 
sacrifice,  and  to  hearken  than  the  fat  of  rams.  For 
rebellion  is  as  the  sin  of  witchcraft,  and  stubborn- 
ness is  as  iniquity  and  idolatry.  Because  thou  hast 


SAUL'S  DISOBEDIENCE  173 

rejected  the  word  of  the  Lord,  he  hath  also  rejected 
thee  from  being  king. 

And  Saul  said  unto  Samuel,  I  have  sinned  :  for  I 
have  transgressed  the  commandment  of  the  Lord, 
and  thy  words :  because  I  feared  the  people,  and 
obeyed  their  voice.  Now  therefore,  I  pray  thee, 
pardon  my  sin,  and  turn  again  with  me,  that  I  may 
worship  the  Lord.  And  Samuel  said  unto  Saul, 
I  will  not  return  with  thee :  for  thou  hast  rejected 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  hath  rejected 
thee  from  being  king  over  Israel.  And  as  Samuel 
turned  about  to  go  away,  he  laid  hold  upon  the 
skirt  of  his  mantle,  and  it  rent.  And  Samuel  said 
unto  him,  The  Lord  hath  rent  the  kingdom  of  Israel 
from  thee  this  day,  and  hath  given  it  to  a  neighbour 
of  thine,  that  is  better  than  thou.  And  also  the 
Strength  of  Israel  will  not  lie  nor  repent:  for  he  is 
not  a  man,  that  he  should  repent.  Then  he  said,  I 
have  sinned :  yet  honour  me  now,  I  pray  thee,  be- 
fore the  elders  of  my  people,  and  before  Israel, 
and  turn  again  with  me,  that  I  may  worship  the 
Lord  thy  God.  So  Samuel  turned  again  after 
Saul ;  and  Saul  worshipped  the  Lord. 

Then  said  Samuel,  Bring  ye  hither  to  me  Agag 
the  king  of  the  Amalekites.  And  Agag  came  unto 
him  delicately.  And  Agag  said,  Surely  the  bitter- 
ness of  death  is  past.  And  Samuel  said,  As  thy 
sword  hath  made  women  childless,  so  shall  thy 
mother  be  childless  among  women.  And  Samuel 
hewed  Agag  in  pieces  before  the  Lord  in  Gilgal. 

Then  Samuel  went  to  Ramah ;  and  Saul  went 
up  to  his  house  to  Gibeah  of  Saul.  And  Samuel 
came  no  more  to  see  Saul  until  the  day  of  his  death : 


174  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

nevertheless  Samuel  mourned  for  Saul :  and  the 
Lord  repented  that  he  had  made  Saul  king  over 
Israel. 


XXXV. 

Gbe  Bnofnttttd  of 

i  Samuel  xvi. 

AND  the  Lord  said  unto  Samuel,  How  long  wilt 
thou  mourn  for  Saul,  seeing  I  have  rejected  him 
from  reigning  over  Israel?  fill  thine  horn  with  oil, 
and  go,  I  will  send  thee  to  Jesse  the  Beth-lehemite : 
for  I  have  provided  me  a  king  among  his  sons. 
And  Samuel  said,  How  can  I  go?  if  Saul  hear  it,  he 
will  kill  me.  And  the  Lord  said,  Take  an  heifer 
with  thee,  and  say,  I  am  come  to  sacrifice  to  the 
Lord.  And  call  Jesse  to  the  sacrifice,  and  I  will 
shew  thee  what  thou  shalt  do :  and  thou  shall  anoint 
unto  me  him  whom  I  name  unto  thee. 

And  Samuel  did  that  which  the  Lord  spake,  and 
came  to  Beth-lehem.  And  the  elders  of  the  town 
trembled  at  his  coming,  and  said,  Comes!  thou 
peaceably  ?  And  he  said,  Peaceably :  I  am  come  to 
sacrifice  unto  the  Lord :  sanctify  yourselves,  and 
come  with  me  to  the  sacrifice.  And  he  sanctified 
Jesse  and  his  sons,  and  called  them  to  the  sacrifice. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  when  they  were  come,  that  he 
looked  on  Eliab,  and  said,  Surely  the  Lord's 
anointed  is  before  him.  But  the  Lord  said  unto 
Samuel,  Look  not  on  his  countenance,  or  on  the 
height  of  his  stature ;  because  I  have  refused  him : 
for  the  Lord  seeth  not  as  man  seeth ;  for  man 


THE  ANOINTING  OF  DAVID 


175 


looketh  on  the  outward  appearance,  but  the  Lord 
looketh  on  the  heart.  Then  Jesse  called  Abinadab, 
and  made  him  pass  before  Samuel.  And  he  said, 
Neither  hath  the  Lord  chosen  this.  Then  Jesse 
made  Shammah  to  pass  by.  And  he  said,  Neither 
hath  the  Lord  chosen  this.  Again,  Jesse  made 
seven  of  his  sons  to  pass  before  Samuel.  And 
Samuel  said  unto  Jesse,  The  Lord  hath  not  chosen 
these.  And  Samuel  said  unto  Jesse,  Are  here  all 
thy  children?  And  he  said,  There  remaineth  yet 
the  youngest,  and,  behold,  he  keepeth  the  sheep. 
And  Samuel  said  unto  Jesse,  Send  and  fetch  him : 
for  we  will  not  sit  down  till  he  come  hither.  And 
he  sent,  and  brought  him  in.  And  he  was  ruddy, 
and  withal  of  a  beautiful  countenance,  and  goodly 
to  look  to.  And  the  Lord  said,  Arise,  anoint  him : 
for  this  is  he.  Then  Samuel  took  the  horn  of  oil, 
and  anointed  him  in  the  midst  of  his  brethren :  and 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  upon  David  from  that 
day  forward.  So  Samuel  rose  up,  and  went  to 
Ramah. 

But  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  departed  from  Saul, 
and  an  evil  spirit  from  the  Lord  troubled  him.  And 
Saul's  servants  said  unto  him,  Behold  now,  an  evil 
spirit  from  God  troubleth  thee.  Let  our  lord  now 
command  thy  servants,  which  are  before  thee,  to 
seek  out  a  man,  who  is  a  cunning  player  on  an  harp : 
and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  the  evil  spirit  from 
God  is  upon  thee,  that  he  shall  play  with  his  hand, 
and  thou  shalt  be  well.  And  Saul  said  unto  his 
servants,  Provide  me  now  a  man  that  can  play  well, 
and  bring  him  to  me.  Then  answered  one  of  the 
servants,  and  said,  Behold,  I  have  seen  a  son  of 


176  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Jesse  the  Beth-lehemite,  that  is  cunning  in  playing, 
and  a  mighty  valiant  man,  and  a  man  of  war,  and 
prudent  in  matters,  and  a  comely  person,  and  the 
Lord  is  with  him.  Wherefore  Saul  sent  messengers 
unto  Jesse,  and  said,  Send  me  David  thy  son,  which 
is  with  the  sheep.  And  Jesse  took  an  ass  laden 
with  bread,  and  a  bottle  of  wine,  and  a  kid,  and 
sent  them  by  David  his  son  unto  Saul.  And  David 
came  to  Saul,  and  stood  before  him :  and  he  loved 
him  greatly ;  and  he  became  his  armourbearer. 
And  Saul  sent  to  Jesse,  saying,  Let  David,  I  pray 
thee,  stand  before  me ;  for  he  hath  found  favour  in 
my  sight.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  evil  spirit 
from  God  was  upon  Saul,  that  David  took  an  harp, 
and  played  with  his  hand :  so  Saul  was  refreshed, 
and  was  well,  and  the  evil  spirit  departed  from  him. 


XXXVI. 

anD  Gollatb. 


i  Samuel  xvii.  —  xviii.  16. 

Now  the  Philistines  gathered  together  their 
armies  to  battle,  and  were  gathered  together  at 
Shochoh,  which  belongeth  to  Judah,  and  pitched 
between  Shochoh  and  Azekah,  in  Ephes-dammim. 
And  Saul  and  the  men  of  Israel  were  gathered  to- 
gether, and  pitched  by  the  valley  of  Elah,  and  set 
the  battle  in  array  against  the  Philistines.  And  the 
Philistines  stood  on  a  mountain  on  the  one  side,  and 
Israel  stood  on  a  mountain  on  the  other  side  :  and 
there  was  a  valley  between  them. 


DAVID  AND  GOLIATH 


177 


And  there  went  out  a  champion  out  of  the  camp 
of  the  Philistines,  named  Goliath,  of  Gath,  whose 
height  was  six  cubits  and  a  span.  And  he  had  an 
helmet  of  brass  upon  his  head,  and  he  was  armed 
with  a  coat  of  mail ;  and  the  weight  of  the  coat  was 
five  thousand  shekels  of  brass.  And  he  had  greaves 
of  brass  upon  his  legs,  and  a  target  of  brass  between 
his  shoulders.  And  the  staff  of  his  spear  was  like 
a  weaver's  beam ;  and  his  spear's  head  weighed  six 
hundred  shekels  of  iron :  and  one  bearing  a  shield 
went  before  him.  And  he  stood  and  cried  unto 
the  armies  of  Israel,  and  said  unto  them,  Why  are 
ye  come  out  to  set  your  battle  in  array?  am  not  I 
a  Philistine,  and  ye  servants  to  Saul  ?  choose  you 
a  man  for  you,  and  let  him  come  down  to  me.  If 
he  be  able  to  fight  with  me,  and  to  kill  me,  then  will 
we  be  your  servants:  but  if  I  prevail  against  him, 
and  kill  him,  then  shall  ye  be  our  servants,  and 
serve  us.  And  the  Philistine  said,  I  defy  the  armies 
of  Israel  this  day ;  give  me  a  man,  that  we  may 
fight  together.  When  Saul  and  all  Israel  heard 
those  words  of  the  Philistine,  they  were  dismayed, 
and  greatly  afraid. 

Now  David  was  the  son  of  that  Ephrathite  of 
Beth-lehem-judah,  whose  name  was  Jesse ;  and  he 
had  eight  sons :  and  the  man  went  among  men  for 
an  old  man  in  the  days  of  Saul.  And  the  three 
eldest  sons  of  Jesse  went  and  followed  Saul  to  the 
battle:  and  the  names  of  his  three  sons  that  went 
to  the  battle  were  Eliab  the  firstborn,  and  next 
unto  him  Abinadab,  and  the  third  Shammah.  And 
David  was  the  youngest :  and  the  three  eldest  fol- 
lowed Saul.  But  David  went  and  returned  from 


178  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Saul  to  feed  his  father's  sheep  at  Beth-lehem.  And 
the  Philistine  drew  near  morning  and  evening,  and 
presented  himself  forty  days.  And  Jesse  said  unto 
David  his  son,  Take  now  for  thy  brethren  an  ephah 
of  this  parched  corn,  and  these  ten  loaves,  and  run 
to  the  camp  to  thy  brethren;  and  carry  these  ten 
cheeses  unto  the  captain  of  their  thousand,  and 
look  how  thy  brethren  fare,  and  take  their  pledge. 
Now  Saul,  and  they,  and  all  the  men  of  Israel,  were 
in  the  valley  of  Elah,  fighting  with  the  Philistines. 

And  David  rose  up  early  in  the  morning,  and  left 
the  sheep  with  a  keeper,  and  took,  and  went,  as 
Jesse  had  commanded  him ;  and  he  came  to  the 
trench,  as  the  host  was  going  forth  to  the  fight,  and 
shouted  for  the  battle.  For  Israel  and  the  Philis- 
tines had  put  the  battle  in  array,  army  against  army. 
And  David  left  his  carriage  in  the  hand  of  the 
keeper  of  the  carriage,  and  ran  into  the  army,  and 
came  and  saluted  his  brethren.  And  as  he  talked 
with  them,  behold,  there  came  up  the  champion, 
the  Philistine  of  Gath,  Goliath  by  name,  out  of  the 
armies  of  the  Philistines,  and  spake  according  to 
the  same  words :  and  David  heard  them. 

And  all  the  men  of  Israel,  when  they  saw  the 
man,  fled  from  him,  and  were  sore  afraid.  And 
the  men  of  Israel  said,  Have  ye  seen  this  man  that 
is  come  up  ?  surely  to  defy  Israel  is  he  come  up : 
and  it  shall  be,  that  the  man  who  killeth  him,  the 
king  will  enrich  him  with  great  riches,  and  will  give 
him  his  daughter,  and  make  his  father's  house  free 
in  Israel.  And  David  spake  to  the  men  that  stood 
by  him,  saying,  What  shall  be  done  to  the  man  that 
killeth  this  Philistine,  and  taketh  away  the  reproach 


DAVID  AND  GOLIATH  179 

from  Israel?  for  who  is  this  uncircumcised  Philis- 
tine, that  he  should  defy  the  armies  of  the  living 
God?  And  the  people  answered  him  after  this 
manner,  saying,  So  shall  it  be  done  to  the  man  that 
killeth  him. 

And  Eliab  his  eldest  brother  heard  when  he  spake 
unto  the  men ;  and  Eliab's  anger  was  kindled 
against  David,  and  he  said,  Why  earnest  thou  down 
hither?  and  with  whom  hast  thou  left  those  few 
sheep  in  the  wilderness?  I  know  thy  pride,  and 
the  naughtiness  of  thine  heart ;  for  thou  art  come 
down  that  thou  mightest  see  the  battle.  And  David 
said,  What  have  I  now  done  ?  Is  there  not  a  cause  ? 
And  he  turned  from  him  toward  another,  and 
spake  after  the  same  manner:  and  the  people  an- 
swered him  again  after  the  former  manner.  And 
when  the  words  were  heard  which  David  spake, 
they  rehearsed  them  before  Saul:  and  he  sent  for 
him. 

And  David  said  to  Saul,  Let  no  man's  heart  fail 
because  of  him ;  thy  servant  will  go  and  fight  with 
this  Philistine.  And  Saul  said  to  David,  Thou  art 
not  able  to  go  against  this  Philistine  to  fight  with 
him:  for  thou  art  but  a  youth,  and  he  a  man  of 
war  from  his  youth.  And  David  said  unto  Saul, 
Thy  servant  kept  his  father's  sheep,  and  there  came 
a  lion,  and  a  bear,  and  took  a  lamb  out  of  the  flock : 
and  I  went  out  after  him,  and  smote  him,  and 
delivered  it  out  of  his  mouth :  and  when  he  arose 
against  me,  I  caught  him  by  his  beard,  and  smote 
him,  and  slew  him.  Thy  servant  slew  both  the  lion 
and  the  bear :  and  this  uncircumcised  Philistine  shall 
be  as  one  of  them,  seeing  he  hath  defied  the  armies 


i8o  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

of  the  living  God.  David  said  moreover,  The  Lord 
that  delivered  me  out  of  the  paw  of  the  lion,  and 
out  of  the  paw  of  the  bear,  he  will  deliver  me  out 
of  the  hand  of  this  Philistine.  And  Saul  said  unto 
David,  Go,  and  the  Lord  be  with  thee. 

And  Saul  armed  David  with  his  armour,  and 
he  put  an  helmet  of  brass  upon  his  head ;  also  he 
armed  him  with  a  coat  of  mail.  And  David  girded 
his  sword  upon  his  armour,  and  he  assayed  to  go ; 
for  he  had  not  proved  it.  And  David  said  unto 
Saul,  I  cannot  go  with  these ;  for  I  have  not  proved 
them.  And  David  put  them  off  him.  And  he  took 
his  staff  in  his  hand,  and  chose  him  five  smooth 
stones  out  of  the  brook,  and  put  them  in  a  shep- 
herd's bag  which  he  had,  even  in  a  scrip;  and  his 
sling  was  in  his  hand :  and  he  drew  near  to  the 
Philistine.  And  the  Philistine  came  on  and  drew 
near  unto  David ;  and  the  man  that  bare  the  shield 
went  before  him.  And  when  the  Philistine  looked 
about,  and  saw  David,  he  disdained  him:  for  he 
was  but  a  youth,  and  ruddy,  and  of  a  fair  coun- 
tenance. And  the  Philistine  said  unto  David,  Am 
I  a  dog,  that  thou  comest  to  me  with  staves  ?  And 
the  Philistine  cursed  David  by  his  gods.  And  the 
Philistine  said  to  David,  Come  to  me,  and  I  will 
give  thy  flesh  unto  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  to  the 
beasts  of  the  field.  Then  said  David  to  the  Phi- 
listine, Thou  comest  to  me  with  a  sword,  and  with 
a  spear,  and  with  a  shield :  but  I  come  to  thee  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  the  God  of  the  armies 
of  Israel,  whom  thou  hast  defied.  This  day  will 
the  Lord  deliver  thee  into  mine  hand;  and  I  will 
smite  thee,  and  take  thine  head  from  thee ;  and  I 


DAVID  AND  GOLIATH  181 

will  give  the  carcases  of  the  host  of  the  Philistines 
this  day  unto  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  to  the  wild 
beasts  of  the  earth ;  that  all  the  earth  may  know 
that  there  is  a  God  in  Israel.  And  all  this  assembly 
shall  know  that  the  Lord  saveth  not  with  sword 
and  spear :  for  the  battle  is  the  Lord's,  and  he  will 
give  you  into  our  hands. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  Philistine  arose, 
and  came  and  drew  nigh  to  meet  David,  that  David 
hasted,  and  ran  toward  the  army  to  meet  the  Philis- 
tine. And  David  put  his  hand  in  his  bag,  and  took 
thence  a  stone,  and  slang  it,  and  smote  the  Philis- 
tine in  his  forehead,  that  the  stone  sunk  into  his 
forehead ;  and  he  fell  upon  his  face  to  the  earth. 
So  David  prevailed  over  the  Philistine  with  a  sling 
and  with  a  stone,  and  smote  the  Philistine,  and  slew 
him ;  but  there  was  no  sword  in  the  hand  of  David. 
Therefore  David  ran,  and  stood  upon  the  Phi- 
listine, and  took  his  sword,  and  drew  it  out  of  the 
sheath  thereof,  and  slew  him,  and  cut  off  his  head 
therewith.  And  when  the  Philistines  saw  their 
champion  was  dead,  they  fled.  And  the  men  of 
Israel  and  of  Judah  arose,  and  shouted,  and  pursued 
the  Philistines,  until  thou  come  to  the  valley,  and 
to  the  gates  of  Ekron.  And  the  wounded  of  the 
Philistines  fell  down  by  the  way  to  Shaaraim,  even 
unto  Gath,  and  unto  Ekron.  And  the  children  of 
Israel  returned  from  chasing  after  the  Philistines, 
and  they  spoiled  their  tents.  And  David  took  the 
head  of  the  Philistine,  and  brought  it  to  Jerusalem ; 
but  he  put  his  armour  in  his  tent. 

And  when  Saul  saw  David  go  forth  against  the 
Philistine,  he  said  unto  Abner,  the  captain  of  the 


1 82  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

host,  Abner,  whose  son  is  this  youth?  And  Abner 
said,  As  thy  soul  liveth,  O  king,  I  cannot  tell.  And 
the  king  said,  Enquire  thou  whose  son  the  stripling 
is.  And  as  David  returned  from  the  slaughter  of 
the  Philistine,  Abner  took  him,  and  brought  him 
before  Saul  with  the  head  of  the  Philistine  in  his 
hand.  And  Saul  said  to  him,  Whose  son  art  thou, 
thou  young  man?  And  David  answered,  I  am  the 
son  of  thy  servant  Jesse  the  Beth-lehemite. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  he  had  made  an  end 
of  speaking  unto  Saul,  that  the  soul  of  Jonathan 
was  knit  with  the  soul  of  David,  and  Jonathan 
loved  him  as  his  own  soul.  And  Saul  took  him  that 
day,  and  would  let  him  go  no  more  home  to  his 
father's  house.  Then  Jonathan  and  David  made  a 
covenant,  because  he  loved  him  as  his  own  soul. 
And  Jonathan  stripped  himself  of  the  robe  that 
was  upon  him,  and  gave  it  to  David,  and  his  gar- 
ments, even  to  his  sword,  and  to  his  bow,  and 
to  his  girdle.  And  David  went  out  whithersoever 
Saul  sent  him,  and  behaved  himself  wisely:  and 
Saul  set  him  over  the  men  of  war,  and  he  was 
accepted  in  the  sight  of  all  the  people,  and  also 
in  the  sight  of  Saul's  servants.  And  it  came  to 
pass  as  they  came,  when  David  was  returned  from 
the  slaughter  of  the  Philistine,  that  the  women 
came  out  of  all  cities  of  Israel,  singing  and  dancing, 
to  meet  king  Saul,  with  tabrets,  with  joy,  and  with 
instruments  of  musick.  And  the  women  answered 
one  another  as  they  played,  and  said,  Saul  hath  slain 
his  thousands,  and  David  his  ten  thousands.  And 
Said  was  very  wroth,  and  the  saying  displeased 
him ;  and  he  said,  They  have  ascribed  unto  David 


DAVID  AND  JONATHAN  183 

ten  thousands,  and  to  me  they  have  ascribed  but 
thousands :  and  what  can  he  have  more  but  the 
kingdom?  And  Saul  eyed  David  from  that  day 
and  forward. 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  that  the  evil 
spirit  from  God  came  upon  Saul,  and  he  prophesied 
in  the  midst  of  the  house :  and  David  played  with 
his  hand,  as  at  other  times :  and  there  was  a  javelin 
in  Saul's  hand.  And  Saul  cast  the  javelin ;  for  he 
said,  I  will  smite  David  even  to  the  wall  with  it. 
And  David  avoided  out  of  his  presence  twice.  And 
Saul  was  afraid  of  David,  because  the  Lord  was 
with  him,  and  was  departed  from  Saul.  Therefore 
Saul  removed  him  from  him,  and  made  him  his 
captain  over  a  thousand ;  and  he  went  out  and  came 
in  before  the  people.  And  David  behaved  himself 
wisely  in  all  his  ways ;  and  the  Lord  was  with  him. 
Wherefore  when  Saul  saw  that  he  behaved  himself 
very  wisely,  he  was  afraid  of  him.  .But  all  Israel 
and  Judah  loved  David,  because  he  went  out  and 
came  in  before  them. 

XXXVII. 
BaviD  an£>  Sonatbam 

i  Samuel  xx. 

AND  David  fled  from  Naioth  in  Ramah,  and 
came  and  said  before  Jonathan,  What  have  I  done? 
what  is  mine  iniquity?  and  what  is  my  sin  before 
thy  father,  that  he  seeketh  my  life?  And  he  said 
unto  him,  God  forbid ;  thou  shalt  not  die :  behold, 
my  father  will  do  nothing  either  great  or  small, 


1 84  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

but  that  he  will  shew  it  me :  and  why  should  my 
father  hide  this  thing  from  me?  it  is  not  so.  And 
David  sware  moreover,  and  said,  Thy  father  cer- 
tainly knoweth  that  I  have  found  grace  in  thine 
eyes ;  and  he  saith,  Let  not  Jonathan  know  this,  lest 
he  be  grieved:  but  truly  as  the  Lord  liveth,  and  as 
thy  soul  liveth,  there  is  but  a  step  between  me  and 
death.  Then  said  Jonathan  unto  David,  Whatso- 
ever thy  soul  desireth,  I  will  even  do  it  for  thee. 
And  David  said  unto  Jonathan,  Behold,  to  morrow 
is  the  new  moon,  and  I  should  not  fail  to  sit  with 
the  king  at  meat :  but  let  me  go,  that  I  may  hide 
myself  in  the  field  unto  the  third  day  at  even.  If 
thy  father  at  all  miss  me,  then  say,  David  earnestly 
asked  leave  of  me  that  he  might  run  to  Beth-lehem 
his  city :  for  there  is  a  yearly  sacrifice  there  for  all 
the  family.  If  he  say  thus,  It  is  well ;  thy  servant 
shall  have  peace :  but  if  he  be  very  wroth,  then  be 
sure  that  evil,  is  determined  by  him.  Therefore 
thou  shalt  deal  kindly  with  thy  servant ;  for  thou 
hast  brought  thy  servant  into  a  covenant  of  the 
Lord  with  thee :  notwithstanding,  if  there  be  in  me 
iniquity,  slay  me  thyself;  for  why  shouldest  thou 
bring  me  to  thy  father? 

And  Jonathan  said,  Far  be  it  from  thee :  for  if  I 
knew  certainly  that  evil  were  determined  by  my 
father  to  come  upon  thee,  then  would  not  I  tell  it 
thee?  Then  said  David  to  Jonathan,  Who  shall 
tell  me?  or  what  if  thy  father  answer  thee  roughly? 

And  Jonathan  said  unto  David,  Come,  and  let  us 
go  out  into  the  field.  And  they  went  out  both  of 
them  into  the  field.  And  Jonathan  said  unto  David, 
O  Lord  God  of  Israel,  when  I  have  sounded  my 


DAVID  AND  JONATHAN  185 

father  about  to  morrow  any  time,  or  the  third  day, 
and,  behold,  if  there  be  good  toward  David,  and  I 
then  send  not  unto  thee,  and  shew  it  thee ;  the  Lord 
do  so  and  much  more  to  Jonathan :  but  if  it  please 
my  father  to  do  thee  evil,  then  I  will  shew  it 
thee,  and  send  thee  away,  that  thou  mayest  go 
in  peace,  and  the  Lord  be  with  thee,  as  he 
hath  been  with  my  father.  And  thou  shalt  not 
only  while  yet  I  live  shew  me  the  kindness  of  the 
Lord,  that  I  die  not :  but  also  thou  shalt  not  cut  off 
thy  kindness  from  my  house  for  ever :  no,  not  when 
the  Lord  hath  cut  off  the  enemies  of  David  every 
one  from  the  face  of  the  earth.  So  Jonathan  made 
a  covenant  with  the  house  of  David,  saying,  Let  the 
Lord  even  require  it  at  the  hand  of  David's  enemies. 
And  Jonathan  caused  David  to  swear  again,  be- 
cause he  loved  him :  for  he  loved  him  as  he  loved 
his  own  soul. 

Then  Jonathan  said  to  David,  To  morrow  is  the 
new  moon:  and  thou  shalt  be  missed,  because  thy 
seat  will  be  empty.  And  when  thou  hast  stayed 
three  days,  then  thou  shalt  go  down  quickly,  and 
come  to  the  place  where  thou  didst  hide  thyself 
when  the  business  was  in  hand,  and  shalt  remain 
by  the  stone  Ezel.  And  I  will  shoot  three  arrows 
on  the  side  thereof,  as  though  I  shot  at  a  mark. 
And,  behold,  I  will  send  a  lad,  saying,  Go,  find  out 
the  arrows.  If  I  expressly  say  unto  the  lad,  Behold, 
the  arrows  are  on  this  side  of  thee,  take  them ;  then 
come  thou :  for  there  is  peace  to  thee,  and  no  hurt ; 
as  the  Lord  liveth.  But  if  I  say  thus  unto  the 
young  man,  Behold,  the  arrows  are  beyond  thee; 
go  thy  way:  for  the  Lord  hath  sent  thee  away. 


186  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  as  touching  the  matter  which  them  and  I  have 
spoken  of,  behold,  the  Lord  be  between  thee  and  me 
for  ever. 

So  David  hid  himself  in  the  field :  and  when  the 
new  moon  was  come,  the  king  sat  him  down  to  eat 
meat.  And  the  king  sat  upon  his  seat,  as  at  other 
times,  even  upon  a  seat  by  the  wall :  and  Jonathan 
arose,  and  Abner  sat  by  Saul's  side,  and  David's 
place  was  empty.  Nevertheless  Saul  spake  not 
any  thing  that  day :  for  he  thought,  Something 
hath  befallen  him,  he  is  not  clean ;  surely  he  is  not 
clean. 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  which  was 
the  second  day  of  the  month,  that  David's  place  was 
empty :  and  Saul  said  unto  Jonathan  his  son,  Where- 
fore cometh  not  the  son  of  Jesse  to  meat,  neither 
yesterday,  nor  to  day?  And  Jonathan  answered 
Saul,  David  earnestly  asked  leave  of  me  to  go  to 
Beth-lehem :  and  he  said,  Let  me  go,  I  pray  thee ; 
for  our  family  hath  a  sacrifice  in  the  city;  and  my 
brother,  he  hath  commanded  me  to  be  there :  and 
now,  if  I  have  found  favour  in  thine  eyes,  let  me 
get  away,  I  pray  thee,  and  see  my  brethren.  There- 
fore he  cometh  not  unto  the  king's  table.  Then 
Saul's  anger  was  kindled  against  Jonathan,  and  he 
said  unto  him,  Thou  son  of  the  perverse  rebellious 
woman,  do  not  I  know  that  thou  hast  chosen  the 
son  of  Jesse  to  thine  own  confusion,  and  unto  the 
confusion  of  thy  mother's  nakedness?  For  as  long 
as  the  son  of  Jesse  liveth  upon  the  ground,  thou 
shalt  not  be  established,  nor  thy  kingdom.  Where- 
fore now  send  and  fetch  him  unto  me,  for  he 
shall  surely  die.  And  Jonathan  answered  Saul  his 


DAVID  AND  JONATHAN  187 

father,  and  said  unto  him,  Wherefore  shall  he  be 
slain?  what  hath  he  done?  And  Saul  cast  a  javelin 
at  him  to  smite  him :  whereby  Jonathan  knew  that 
it  was  determined  of  his  father  to  slay  David.  So 
Jonathan  arose  from  the  table  in  fierce  anger,  and 
did  eat  no  meat  the  second  day  of  the  month:  for 
he  was  grieved  for  David,  because  his  father  had 
done  him  shame. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  morning,  that  Jon- 
athan went  out  into  the  field  at  the  time  appointed 
with  David,  and  a  little  lad  with  him.  And  he  said 
unto  his  lad,  Run,  find  out  now  the  arrows  which 
I  shoot.  And  as  the  lad  ran,  he  shot  an  arrow 
beyond  him.  And  when  the  lad  was  come  to  the 
place  of  the  arrow  which  Jonathan  had  shot,  Jon- 
athan cried  after  the  lad,  and  said,  Is  not  the  arrow 
beyond  thee?  And  Jonathan  cried  after  the  lad, 
Make  speed,  haste,  stay  not.  And  Jonathan's  lad 
gathered  up  the  arrows,  and  came  to  his  master. 
But  the  lad  knew  not  any  thing :  only  Jonathan  and 
David  knew  the  matter.  And  Jonathan  gave  his 
artillery  unto  his  lad,  and  said  unto  him,  Go,  carry 
them  to  the  city. 

And  as  soon  as  the  lad  was  gone,  David  arose 
out  of  a  place  toward  the  south,  and  fell  on  his 
face  to  the  ground,  and  bowed  himself  three  times: 
and  they  kissed  one  another,  and  wept  one  with 
another,  until  David  exceeded.  And  Jonathan  said 
to  David,  Go  in  peace,  forasmuch  as  we  have  sworn 
both  of  us  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  saying,  The 
Lord  be  between  me  and  thee,  and  between  my 
seed  and  thy  seed  for  ever.  And  he  arose  and 
departed :  and  Jonathan  went  into  the  city. 


i88  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 


XXXVIII. 
BavfD  anD  Saul, 

i  Samuel  xxiv. ;  xxvi. — xxvii.  4. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  when  Saul  was  returned 
from  following  the  Philistines,  that  it  was  told  him, 
saying,  Behold,  David  is  in  the  wilderness  of  En- 
gedi.  Then  Saul  took  three  thousand  chosen  men 
out  of  all  Israel,  and  went  to  seek  David  and  his 
men  upon  the  rocks  of  the  wild  goats.  And  he 
came  to  the  sheepcotes  by  the  way,  where  was  a 
cave ;  and  Saul  went  in  to  cover  his  feet :  and  David 
and  his  men  remained  in  the  sides  of  the  cave. 
And  the  men  of  David  said  unto  him,  Behold  the 
day  of  which  the  Lord  said  unto  thee,  Behold,  I  will 
deliver  thine  enemy  into  thine  hand,  that  thou 
mayest  do  to  him  as  it  shall  seem  good  unto  thee. 
Then  David  arose,  and  cut  off  the  skirt  of  Saul's 
robe  privily.  And  it  came  to  pass  afterward,  that 
David's  heart  smote  him,  because  he  had  cut  off 
Saul's  skirt.  And  he  said  unto  his  men,  The  Lord 
forbid  that  I  should  do  this  thing  unto  my  master, 
the  Lord's  anointed,  to  stretch  forth  mine  hand 
against  him,  seeing  he  is  the  anointed  of  the  Lord. 
So  David  stayed  his  servants  with  these  words,  and 
suffered  them  not  to  rise  against  Saul.  But  Saul 
rose  up  out  of  the  cave,  and  went  on  his  way. 
David  also  arose  afterward,  and  went  out  of  the 
cave,  and  cried  after  Saul,  saying,  My  lord  the 
king.  And  when  Saul  looked  behind  him,  David 


DAVID  AND  SAUL  189 

stooped  with  his  face  to  the  earth,  and  bowed 
himself. 

And  David  said  to  Saul,  Wherefore  hearest  thou 
men's  words,  saying,  Behold,  David  seeketh  thy 
hurt?  Behold,  this  day  thine  eyes  have  seen  how 
that  the  Lord  had  delivered  thee  to  day  into  mine 
hand  in  the  cave :  and  some  bade  me  kill  thee :  but 
mine  eye  spared  thee ;  and  I  said,  I  will  not  put 
forth  mine  hand  against  my  lord ;  for  he  is  the 
Lord's  anointed.  Moreover,  my  father,  see,  yea, 
see  the  skirt  of  thy  robe  in  my  hand :  for  in  that  I 
cut  off  the  skirt  of  thy  robe,  and  killed  thee  not, 
know  thou  and  see  that  there  is  neither  evil  nor 
transgression  in  mine  hand,  and  I  have  not  sinned 
against  thee ;  yet  thou  huntest  my  soul  to  take  it. 
The  Lord  judge  between  me  and  thee,  and  the  Lord 
avenge  me  of  thee :  but  mine  hand  shall  not  be 
upon  thee.  As  saith  the  proverb  of  the  ancients, 
Wickedness  proceedeth  from  the  wicked :  but  mine 
hand  shall  not  be  upon  thee.  After  whom  is  the 
king  of  Israel  come  out?  after  whom  dost  thou 
pursue?  after  a  dead  dog,  after  a  flea.  The  Lord 
therefore  be  judge,  and  judge  between  me  and  thee, 
and  see,  and  plead  my  cause,  and  deliver  me  out 
of  thine  hand. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  David  had  made  an 
end  of  speaking  these  words  unto  Saul,  that  Saul 
said,  Is  this  thy  voice,  my  son  David?  And  Saul 
lifted  up  his  voice,  and  wept.  And  he  said  to 
David,  Thou  art  more  righteous  than  I :  for  thou 
hast  rewarded  me  good,  whereas  I  have  rewarded 
thee  evil.  And  thou  hast  shewed  this  day  how  that 
thou  hast  dealt  well  with  me :  forasmuch  as  when 


I9o  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  Lord  had  delivered  me  into  thine  hand,  thou 
killedst  me  not.  For  if  a  man  find  his  enemy,  will 
he  let  him  go  well  away?  wherefore  the  Lord 
reward  thee  good  for  that  thou  hast  done  unto  me 
this  day.  And  now,  behold,  I  know  well  that  thou 
shalt  surely  be  king,  and  that  the  kingdom  of  Israel 
shall  be  established  in  thine  hand.  Swear  now 
therefore  unto  me  by  the  Lord,  that  thou  wilt  not 
cut  off  my  seed  after  me,  and  that  thou  wilt  not 
destroy  my  name  out  of  my  father's  house.  And 
David  sware  unto  Saul.  And  Saul  went  home ; 
but  David  arid  his  men  gat  them  up  unto  the  hold. 
•  •  •  •  • 

And  the  Ziphites  came  unto  Saul  to  Gibeah,  say- 
ing, Doth  not  David  hide  himself  in  the  hill  of 
Hachilah,  which  is  before  Jeshimon?  Then  Saul 
arose,  and  went  down  to  the  wilderness  of  Ziph, 
having  three  thousand  chosen  men  of  Israel  with 
him,  to  seek  David  in  the  wilderness  of  Ziph.  And 
Saul  pitched  in  the  hill  of  Hachilah,  which  is  before 
Jeshimon,  by  the  way.  But  David  abode  in  the 
wilderness,  and  he  saw  that  Saul  came  after  him 
into  the  wilderness.  David  therefore  sent  out  spies, 
and  understood  that  Saul  was  come  in  very  deed. 

And  David  arose,  and  came  to  the  place  where 
Saul  had  pitched :  and  David  beheld  the  place  where 
Saul  lay,  and  Abner  the  son  of  Ner,  the  captain 
of  his  host :  and  Saul  lay  in  the  trench,  and  the 
people  pitched  round  about  him.  Then  answered 
David  and  said  to  Ahimelech  the  Hittite,  and  to 
Abishai  the  son  of  Zeruiah,  brother  to  Joab,  saying. 
Who  will  go  down  with  me  to  Saul  to  the  camp? 
And  Abishai  said,  I  will  go  down  with  thee.  So 


DAVID  AND  SAUL  191 

David  and  Abishai  came  to  the  people  by  night: 
and,  behold,  Saul  lay  sleeping  within  the  trench, 
and  his  spear  stuck  in  the  ground  at  his  bolster: 
but  Abner  and  the  people  lay  round  about  him. 
Then  said  Abishai  to  David,  God  hath  delivered 
thine  enemy  into  thine  hand  this  day :  now  there- 
fore let  me  smite  him,  I  pray  thee,  with  the  spear 
even  to  the  earth  at  once,  and  I  will  not  smite  him 
the  second  time.  And  David  said  to  Abishai,  De- 
stroy him  not :  for  who  can  stretch  forth  his  hand 
against  the  Lord's  anointed,  and  be  guiltless? 
David  said  furthermore,  As  the  Lord  liveth,  the 
Lord  shall  smite  him ;  or  his  day  shall  come  to  die ; 
or  he  shall  descend  into  battle,  and  perish.  The 
Lord  forbid  that  I  should  stretch  forth  mine  hand 
against  the  Lord's  anointed :  but,  I  pray  thee,  take 
thou  now  the  spear  that  is  at  his  bolster,  and  the 
cruse  of  water,  and  let  us  go.  So  David  took  the 
spear  and  the  cruse  of  water  from  Saul's  bolster ; 
and  they  gat  them  away,  and  no  man  saw  it,  nor 
knew  it,  neither  awaked :  for  they  were  all  asleep ; 
because  a  deep  sleep  from  the  Lord  was  fallen  upon 
them. 

Then  David  went  over  to  the  other  side,  and 
stood  on  the  top  of  an  hill  afar  off;  a  great  space 
being  between  them :  and  David  cried  to  the  people, 
and  to  Abner  the  son  of  Ner,  saying,  Answerest 
thou  not,  Abner?  Then  Abner  answered  and  said, 
Who  art  thou  that  criest  to  the  king?  And  David 
said  to  Abner,  Art  not  thou  a  valiant  man?  and 
who  is  like  to  thee  in  Israel  ?  wherefore  then  hast 
thou  not  kept  thy  lord  the  king  ?  for  there  came  one 
of  the  people  in  to  destroy  the  king  thy  lord.  This 


192  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

thing  is  not  good  that  thou  hast  done.  As  the  Lord 
liveth,  ye  are  worthy  to  die,  because  ye  have  not 
kept  your  master,  the  Lord's  anointed.  And  now 
see  where  the  king's  spear  is,  and  the  cruse  of  water 
that  was  at  his  bolster.  And  Saul  knew  David's 
voice,  and  said,  Is  this  thy  voice,  my  son  David? 
And  David  said,  It  is  my  voice,  my  lord,  O  king. 
And  he  said,  Wherefore  doth  my  lord  thus  pursue 
after  his  servant?  for  what  have  I  done?  or  what 
evil  is  in  mine  hand?  Now  therefore,  I  pray  thee, 
let  my  lord  the  king  hear  the  words  of  his  servant. 
If  the  Lord  have  stirred  thee  up  against  me,  let 
him  accept  an  offering:  but  if  they  be  the  children 
of  men,,  cursed  be  they  before  the  Lord;  for  they 
have  driven  me  out  this  day  from  abiding  in  the 
inheritance  of  the  Lord,  saying,  Go,  serve  other 
gods.  Now  therefore,  let  not  my  blood  fall  to  the 
earth  before  the  face  of  the  Lord :  for  the  king  of 
Israel  is  come  out  to  seek  a  flea,  as  when  one  doth 
hunt  a  partridge  in  the  mountains. 

Then  said  Saul,  I  have  sinned:  return,  my  son 
David:  for  I  will  no  more  do  thee  harm,  because 
my  soul  was  precious  in  thine  eyes  this  day :  behold, 
I  have  played  the  fool,  and  have  erred  exceedingly. 
And  David  answered  and  said,  Behold  the  king's 
spear !  and  let  one  of  the  young  men  come  over  and 
fetch  it.  The  Lord  render  to  every  man  his  right- 
eousness and  his  faithfulness :  for  the  Lord  deliv- 
ered thee  into  my  hand  to  day,  but  I  would  not 
stretch  forth  mine  hand  against  the  Lord's  anointed. 
And,  behold,  as  thy  life  was  much  set  by  this  day  in 
mine  eyes,  so  let  my  life  be  much  set  by  in  the 
eyes  of  the  Lord,  and  let  him  deliver  me  out  of  all 


THE  WITCH  OF  EN-DOR  193 

tribulation.  Then  Saul  said  to  David,  Blessed  be 
thou,  my  son  David  :  thou  shalt  both  do  great  things, 
and  also  shalt  still  prevail.  So  David  went  on  his 
way,  and  Saul  returned  to  his  place. 

And  David  said  in  his  heart,  I  shall  now  perish 
one  day  by  the  hand  of  Saul :  there  is  nothing  better 
for  me  than  that  I  should  speedily  escape  into  the 
land  of  the  Philistines;  and  Saul  shall  despair  of 
me,  to  seek  me  any  more  in  any  coast  of  Israel :  so 
shall  I  escape  out  of  his  hand.  And  David  arose, 
and  he  passed  over  with  the  six  hundred  men  that 
were  with  him  unto  Achish,  the  son  of  Maoch,  king 
of  Gath.  And  David  dwelt  with  Achish  at  Gath, 
he  and  his  men,  every  man  with  his  household,  even 
David  with  his  two  wives,  Ahinoam  the  Jezreelitess, 
and  Abigail  the  Carmelitess,  Nabal's  wife.  And  it 
was  told  Saul  that  David  was  fled  to  Gath :  and  he 
sought  no  more  again  for  him. 


XXXIX. 
tieutcb  of 

i  Samuel  xxviii.  3-25;  xxxi.  1-6. 

Now  Samuel  was  dead,  and  all  Israel  had 
lamented  him,  and  buried  him  in  Ramah,  even  in 
his  own  city.  And  Saul  had  put  away  those  that 
had  familiar  spirits,  and  the  wizards,  out  of  the 
land.  And  the  Philistines  gathered  themselves  to- 
gether, and  came  and  pitched  in  Shunem :  and  Saul 
gathered  all  Israel  together,  and  they  pitched  in 
Gilboa.  And  when  Saul  saw  the  host  of  the  Phi- 


1 94  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

listines,  he  was  afraid,  and  his  heart  greatly  trem- 
bled. And  when  Saul  enquired  of  the  Lord,  the 
Lord  answered  him  not,  neither  by  dreams,  nor  by 
Urim  [i.e.  through  the  high-priest],  nor  by  prophets. 
Then  said  Saul  unto  his  servants,  Seek  me  a 
woman  that  hath  a  familiar  spirit,  that  I  may  go  to 
her,  and  enquire  of  her.  And  his  servants  said  to 
him,  Behold,  there  is  a  woman  that  hath  a  familiar 
spirit  at  En-dor.  And  Saul  disguised  himself,  and 
put  on  other  raiment,  and  he  went,  and  two  men 
with  him,  and  they  came  to  the  woman  by  night: 
and  he  said,  I  pray  thee,  divine  unto  me  by  the 
familiar  spirit,  and  bring  me  him  up,  whom  I  shall 
name  unto  thee.  And  the  woman  said  unto  him, 
Behold,  thou  knowest  what  Saul  hath  done,  how 
he  hath  cut  off  those  that  have  familiar  spirits,  and 
the  wizards,  out  of  the  land :  wherefore  then  layest 
thou  a  snare  for  my  life,  to  cause  me  to  die?  And 
Saul  sware  to  her  by  the  Lord,  saying,  As  the  Lord 
liveth,  there  shall  no  punishment  happen  to  thee  for 
this  thing.  Then  said  the  woman,  Whom  shall  I 
bring  up  unto  thee?  And  he  said,  Bring  me  up 
Samuel.  And  when  the  woman  saw  Samuel,  she 
cried  with  a  loud  voice :  and  the  woman  spake  to 
Saul,  saying,  Why  hast  thou  deceived  me?  for  thou 
art  Saul.  And  the  king  said  unto  her,  Be  not 
afraid:  for  what  sawest  thou?  And  the  woman 
said  unto  Saul,  I  saw  gods  ascending  out  of  the 
earth.  And  he  said  unto  her,  What  form  is  he  of? 
And  she  said,  An  old  man  cometh  up;  and  he  is 
covered  with  a  mantle.  And  Saul  perceived  that 
it  was  Samuel,  and  he  stooped  with  his  face  to  the 
ground,  and  bowed  himself, 


THE  U'lTCH  OF  EN-DOR  195 

And  Samuel  said  to  Saul,  Why  hast  thou  dis- 
quieted me,  to  bring  me  up?  And  Saul  answered, 
I  am  sore  distressed ;  for  the  Philistines  make  war 
against  me,  and  God  is  departed  from  me,  and  an- 
swereth  me  no  more,  neither  by  prophets,  nor  by 
dreams :  therefore  I  have  called  thee,  that  thou 
mayest  make  known  unto  me  what  I  shall  do. 
Then  said  Samuel,  Wherefore  then  dost  thou  ask 
of  me,  seeing  the  Lord  is  departed  from  thee,  and 
is  become  thine  enemy?  And  the  Lord  hath  done 
to  him,  as  he  spake  by  me :  for  the  Lord  hath  rent 
the  kingdom  out  of  thine  hand,  and  given  it  to  thy 
neighbour,  even  to  David :  because  thou  obeyedst 
not  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  nor  executedst  his  fierce 
wrath  upon  Amalek,  therefore  hath  the  Lord  done 
this  thing  unto  thee  this  day.  Moreover  the  Lord 
will  also  deliver  Israel  with  thee  into  the  hand  of 
the  Philistines :  and  to  morrow  shalt  thou  and  thy 
sons  be  with  me :  the  Lord  also  shall  deliver  the  host 
of  Israel  into  the  hand  of  the  Philistines.  Then 
Saul  fell  straightway  all  along  on  the  earth,  and 
was  sore  afraid,  because  of  the  words  of  Samuel : 
and  there  was  no  strength  in  him ;  for  he  had  eaten 
no  bread  all  the  day,  nor  all  the  night. 

And  the  woman  came  unto  Saul,  and  saw  that  he 
was  sore  troubled,  and  said  unto  him,  Behold,  thine 
handmaid  hath  obeyed  thy  voice,  and  I  have  put 
my  life  in  my  hand,  and  have  hearkened  unto  thy 
words  which  thou  spakest  unto  me.  Now  there- 
fore, I  pray  thee,  hearken  thou  also  unto  the  voice 
of  thine  handmaid,  and  let  me  set  a  morsel  of  bread 
before  thee ;  and  eat,  that  thou  mayest  have  strength, 
when  thou  goest  on  thy  way.  But  he  refused,  and 


196  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

said,  I  will  not  eat.  But  his  servants,  together  with 
the  woman,  compelled  him ;  and  he  hearkened  unto 
their  voice.  So  he  rose  from  the  earth,  and  sat 
upon  the  bed.  And  the  woman  had  a  fat  calf  in  the 
house ;  and  she  hasted,  and  killed  it,  and  took  flour, 
and  kneaded  it,  and  did  bake  unleavened  bread 
thereof :  and  she  brought  it  before  Saul,  and  before 
his  servants ;  and  they  did  eat.  Then  they  rose 
up,  and  went  away  that  night. 

•  •  •  •  • 

Now  the  Philistines  fought  against  Israel :  and 
the  men  of  Israel  fled  from  before  the  Philistines, 
and  fell  down  slain  in  mount  Gilboa.  And  the 
Philistines  followed  hard  upon  Saul  and  upon  his 
sons ;  and  the  Philistines  slew  Jonathan,  and 
Abinadab,  and  Melchi-shua,  Saul's  sons.  And  the 
battle  went  sore  against  Saul,  and  the  archers  hit 
him ;  and  he  was  sore  wounded  of  the  archers. 
Then  said  Saul  unto  his  armourbearer,  Draw  thy 
sword,  and  thrust  me  through  therewith ;  lest  these 
uncircumcised  come  and  thrust  me  through,  and 
abuse  me.  But  his  armourbearer  would  not;  for 
he  was  sore  afraid.  Therefore  Saul  took  a  sword, 
and  fell  upon  it.  And  when  his  armourbearer  saw 
that  Saul  was  dead,  he  fell  likewise  upon  his  sword, 
and  died  with  him.  So  Saul  died,  and  his  three 
sons,  and  his  armourbearer,  and  all  his  men,  that 
same  day  together. 


DAVID  AND  BATH-SHEBA  197 


XL. 


ii  Samuel  xi.  —  xii.  24. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  after  the  year  was  expired, 
at  the  time  when  kings  go  forth  to  battle,  that 
David  sent  Joab,  and  his  servants  with  him,  and 
all  Israel  ;  and  they  destroyed  the  children  of  Am- 
mon,  and  besieged  Rabbah.  But  David  tarried 
still  at  Jerusalem.  And  it  came  to  pass  in  an  even- 
ingtide,  that  David  arose  from  off  his  bed,  and 
walked  upon  the  roof  of  the  king's  house  :  and  from 
the  roof  he  saw  a  woman  washing  herself;  and  the 
woman  was  very  beautiful  to  look  upon.  And 
David  sent  and  enquired  after  the  woman.  And 
one  said,  Is  not  this  Bath-sheba,  the  daughter  of 
Eliam,  the  wife  of  Uriah  the  Hittite?  And  David 
sent  messengers,  and  took  her  ;  and  she  came  in 
unto  him,  and  he  lay  with  her  ;  for  she  was  purified 
from  her  uncleanness  :  and  she  returned  unto  her 
house.  And  the  woman  conceived,  and  sent  and 
told  David,  and  said,  I  am  with  child. 

And  David  sent  to  Joab,  saying,  Send  me  Uriah 
the  Hittite.  And  Joab  sent  Uriah  to  David.  And 
when  Uriah  was  come  unto  him,  David  demanded  of 
him  how  Joab  did,  and  how  the  people  did,  and 
how  the  war  prospered.  And  David  said  to  Uriah, 
Go  down  to  thy  house,  and  wash  thy  feet.  And 
Uriah  departed  out  of  the  king's  house,  and  there 
followed  him  a  mess  of  meat  from  the  king.  But 
Uriah  slept  at  the  door  of  the  king's  house  with  all 


198  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  servants  of  his  lord,  and  went  not  down  to  his 
house.  And  when  they  had  told  David,  saying, 
Uriah  went  not  down  unto  his  house,  David  said 
unto  Uriah,  Camest  thou  not  from  thy  journey? 
why  then  didst  thou  not  go  down  unto  thine  house  ? 
And  Uriah  said  unto  David,  The  ark,  and  Israel, 
and  Judah,  abide  in  tents;  and  my  lord  Joab,  and 
the  servants  of  my  lord,  are  encamped  in  the  open 
fields ;  shall  I  then  go  into  mine  house,  to  eat  and 
to  drink,  and  to  lie  with  my  wife?  as  thou  livest, 
and  as  thy  soul  liveth,  I  will  not  do  this  thing.  And 
David  said  to  Uriah,  Tarry  here  to  day  also,  and  to 
morrow  I  will  let  thee  depart.  So  Uriah  abode  in 
Jerusalem  that  day,  and  the  morrow.  And  when 
David  had  called  him,  he  did  eat  and  drink  before 
him ;  and  he  made  him  drunk :  and  at  even  he  went 
out  to  lie  on  his  bed  with  the  servants  of  his  lord, 
but  went  not  down  to  his  house. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  morning,  that  David 
wrote  a  letter  to  Joab,  and  sent  it  by  the  hand  of 
Uriah.  And  he  wrote  in  the  letter,  saying,  Set 
ye  Uriah  in  the  forefront  of  the  hottest  battle,  and 
retire  ye  from  him,  that  he  may  be  smitten,  and  die. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Joab  observed  the  city, 
that  he  assigned  Uriah  unto  a  place  where  he  knew 
that  valiant  men  were.  And  the  men  of  the  city 
went  out,  and  fought  with  Joab :  and  there  fell  some 
of  the  people  of  the  servants  of  David ;  and  Uriah 
the  Hittite  died  also. 

Then  Joab  sent  and  told  David  all  the  things 
concerning  the  war;  and  charged  the  messenger, 
saying,  When  thou  hast  made  an  end  of  telling  the 
matters  of  the  war  unto  the  king,  and  if  so  be  that 


DAVID  AND  BATH-SHEBA  199 

the  king's  wrath  arise,  and  he  say  unto  thee,  Where- 
fore approached  ye  so  nigh  unto  the  city  when  ye 
did  fight?  knew  ye  not  that  they  would  shoot  from 
the  wall?  who  smote  Abimelech  the  son  of  Jerub- 
besheth  ?  did  not  a  woman  cast  a  piece  of  a  millstone 
upon  him  from  the  wall,  that  he  died  in  Thebez? 
why  went  ye  nigh  the  wall?  then  say  thou,  Thy 
servant  Uriah  the  Hittite  is  dead  also. 

So  the  messenger  went,  and  came  and  shewed 
David  all  that  Joab  had  sent  him  for.  And  the 
messenger  said  unto  David,  Surely  the  men  pre- 
vailed against  us,  and  came  out  unto  us  into  the 
field,  and  we  were  upon  them  even  unto  the  enter- 
ing of  the  gate.  And  the  shooters  shot  from  off 
the  wall  upon  thy  servants ;  and  some  of  the  king's 
servants  be  dead,  and  thv  servant  Uriah  the  Hittite 

•/ 

is  dead  also.  Then  David  said  unto  the  messenger, 
Thus  shalt  thou  say  unto  Joab,  Let  not  this  thing 
displease  thee,  for  the  sword  devoureth  one  as  well 
as  another :  make  thy  battle  more  strong  against 
the  city,  and  overthrow  it :  and  encourage  thou  him. 

And  when  the  wife  of  Uriah  heard  that  Uriah 
her  husband  was  dead,  she  mourned  for  her  hus- 
band. And  when  the  mourning  was  past,  David 
sent  and  fetched  her  to  his  house,  and  she  became 
his  wife,  and  bare  him  a  son.  But  the  thing  that 
David  had  done  displeased  the  Lord. 

And  the  Lord  sent  Nathan  unto  David.  And 
he  came  unto  him,  and  said  unto  him.  There  were 
two  men  in  one  city ;  the  one  rich,  and  the  other 
poor.  The  rich  man  had  exceeding  many  flocks 
and  herds :  but  the  poor  man  had  nothing, 
save  one  little  ewe  lamb,  which  he  had  bought 


200  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  nourished  up:  and  it  grew  up  together  with 
him,  and  with  his  children ;  it  did  eat  of  his  own 
meat,  and  drank  of  his  own  cup,  and  lay  in  his 
bosom,  and  was  unto  him  as  a  daughter.  And 
there  came  a  traveller  unto  the  rich  man,  and  he 
spared  to  take  of  his  own  flock  and  of  his  own  herd, 
to  dress  for  the  wayfaring  man  that  was  come 
unto  him;  but  took  the  poor  man's  lamb,  and 
dressed  it  for  the  man  that  was  come  to  him.  And 
David's  anger  was  greatly  kindled  against  the  man ; 
and  he  said  to  Nathan,  As  the  Lord  liveth,  the  man 
that  hath  done  this  thing  shall  surely  die:  and  he 
shall  restore  the  lamb  fourfold,  because  he  did  this 
thing,  and  because  he  had  no  pity. 

And  Nathan  said  to  David,  Thou  art  the  man. 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  I  anointed  thee 
king  over  Israel,  and  I  delivered  thee  out  of  the 
hand  of  Saul ;  and  I  gave  thee  thy  master's  house, 
and  thy  master's  wives  into  thy  bosom,  and  gave 
thee  the  house  of  Israel  and  of  Judah ;  and  if  that 
had  been  too  little,  I  would  moreover  have  given 
junto  thee  such  and  such  things.  Wherefore  hast 
them  despised  the  commandment  of  the  Lord,  to  do 
evil  in  his  sight?  them  hast  killed  Uriah  the  Hittite 
with  the  sword,  and  hast  taken  his  wife  to  be  thy 
wife,  and  hast  slain  him  with  the  sword  of  the 
children  of  Ammon.  Now  therefore  the  sword 
shall  never  depart  from  thine  house ;  because  them 
hast  despised  me,  and  hast  taken  the  wife  of  Uriah 
the  Hittite  to  be  thy  wife.  Thus  saith  the  Lord, 
Behold,  I  will  raise  up  evil  against  thee  out  of  thine 
own  house,  and  I  will  take  thy  wives  before  thine 
eyes,  and  give  them  unto  thy  neighbour,  and  he 


DAVID  AND  BATH-SHEBA  201 

shall  lie  with  thy  wives  in  the  sight  of  this  sun. 
For  thou  didst  it  secretly:  but  I  will  do  this  thing 
before  all  Israel,  and  before  the  sun.  And  David 
said  unto  Nathan,  I  have  sinned  against  the  Lord. 
And  Nathan  said  unto  David,  The  Lord  also  hath 
put  away  thy  sin ;  thou  shalt  not  die.  Howbeit, 
because  by  this  deed  thou  hast  given  great  occasion 
to  the  enemies  of  the  Lord  to  blaspheme,  the  child 
also  that  is  born  unto  thee  shall  surely  die. 

And  Nathan  departed  unto  his  house.  And  the 
Lord  struck  the  child  that  Uriah's  wife  bare  unto 
David,  and  it  was  very  sick.  David  therefore  be- 
sought God  for  the  child;  and  David  fasted,  and 
went  in,  and  lay  all  night  upon  the  earth.  And 
the  elders  of  his  house  arose,  and  went  to  him,  to 
raise  him  up  from  the  earth :  but  he  would  not, 
neither  did  he  eat  bread  with  them.  And  it  came 
to  pass  on  the  seventh  day,  that  the  child  died. 
And  the  servants  of  David  feared  to  tell  him  that 
the  child  wras  dead :  for  they  said,  Behold,  while  the 
child  was  yet  alive,  we  spake  unto  him,  and  he 
would  not  hearken  unto  our  voice :  how  will 
he  then  vex  himself,  if  we  tell  him  that  the  child 
is  dead?  But  when  David  saw  that  his  servants 
whispered,  David  perceived  that  the  child  was  dead : 
therefore  David  said  unto  his  servants,  Is  the  child 
dead?  And  they  said,  He  is  dead.  Then  David 
arose  from  the  earth,  and  washed,  and  anointed 
himself,  and.  changed  his  apparel,  and  came  into 
the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  worshipped :  then  he 
came  to  his  own  house ;  and  when  he  required,  they 
set  bread  before  him,  and  he  did  eat.  Then 
said  his  servants  unto  him,  What  thing  is  this  that 


202  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

thou  hast  done?  thou  didst  fast  and  weep  for  the 
child,  while  it  was  alive ;  but  when  the  child  was 
dead,  thou  didst  rise  and  eat  bread.  And  he  said, 
While  the  child  was  yet  alive,  I  fasted  and  wept: 
for  I  said,  Who  can  tell  whether  God  will  be 
gracious  to  me,  that  the  child  may  live?  But  now 
he  is  dead,  wherefore  should  I  fast?  can  I  bring 
him  back  again  ?  I  shall  go  to  him,  but  he  shall  not 
return  to  me. 

And  David  comforted  Bath-sheba  his  wife,  and 
went  in  unto  her,  and  lay  with  her :  and  she  bare 
a  son,  and  he  called  his  name  Solomon:  and  the 
Lord  loved  him. 

XLI. 
Gbe  IRevolt  of  Bbsalom. 

ii  Samuel  xviii. 

AND  David  numbered  the  people  that  were  with 
him,  and  set  captains  of  thousands  and  captains  of 
hundreds  over  them.  And  David  sent  forth  a  third 
part  of  the  people  under  the  hand  of  Joab,  and  a 
third  part  under  the  hand  of  Abishai  the  son  of 
Zeruiah,  Joab's  brother,  and  a  third  part  under  the 
hand  of  Ittai  the  Gittite.  And  the  king  said  unto 
the  people,  I  will  surely  go  forth  with  you  myself 
also.  But  the  people  answered,  Thou  shalt  not  go 
forth:  for  if  we  flee  away,  they  will  not  care  for 
us ;  neither  if  half  of  us  die,  will  they  care  for  us : 
but  now  thou  art  worth  ten  thousand  of  us:  there- 
fore now  it  is  better  that  thou  succour  us  out  of  the 
city.  And  the  king  said  unto  them,  What  seemeth 


THE  REVOLT  OF  ABSALOM       203 

you  best  I  will  do.  And  the  king  stood  by  the 
gate  side,  and  all  the  people  came  out  by  hundreds 
and  by  thousands.  And  the  king  commanded  Joab 
and  Abishai  and  Ittai,  saying,  Deal  gently  for  my 
sake  with  the  young  man,  even  with  Absalom. 
And  all  the  people  heard  when  the  king  gave  all 
the  captains  charge  concerning  Absalom. 

So  the  people  went  out  into  the  field  against 
Israel :  and  the  battle  was  in  the  wood  of  Ephraim ; 
where  the  people  of  Israel  were  slain  before  the 
servants  of  David,  and  there  was  there  a  great 
slaughter  that  day  of  twenty  thousand  men.  For 
the  battle  was  there  scattered  over  the  face  of  all 
the  country :  and  the  wood  devoured  more  people 
that  day  than  the  sword  devoured. 

And  Absalom  met  the  servants  of  David.  And 
Absalom  rode  upon  a  mule,  and  the  mule  went 
under  the  thick  boughs  of  a  great  oak,  and  his  head 
caught  hold  of  the  oak,  and  he  was  taken  up  be- 
tween the  heaven  and  the  earth ;  and  the  mule  that 
was  under  him  went  away.  And  a  certain  man 
saw  it,  and  told  Joab,  and  said.  Behold,  I  saw 
Absalom  hanged  in  an  oak.  And  Joab  said  unto 
the  man  that  told  him,  And,  behold,  thou  sawest 
him,  and  why  didst  thou  not  smite  him  there  to  the 
ground?  and  I  would  have  given  thee  ten  shekels 
of  silver,  and  a  girdle.  And  the  man  said  unto 
Joab,  Though  I  should  receive  a  thousand  shekels 
of  silver  in  mine  hand,  yet  would  I  not  put  forth 
mine  hand  against  the  king's  son :  for  in  our  hear- 
ing the  king  charged  thee  and  Abishai  and  Ittai, 
saying,  Beware  that  none  touch  the  young  man 
Absalom.  Otherwise  I  should  have  wrought  false- 


204  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

hood  against  mine  own  life :  for  there  is  no  matter 
hid  from  the  king,  and  thou  thyself  wouldest  have 
set  thyself  against  me.  Then  said  Joab,  I  may  not 
tarry  thus  with  thee.  And  he  took  three  darts  in 
his  hand,  and  thrust  them  through  the  heart  of 
Absalom,  while  he  was  yet  alive  in  the  midst  of  the 
oak.  And  ten  young  men  that  bare  Joab's  armour 
compassed  about  and  smote  Absalom,  and  slew 
him.  And  Joab  blew  the  trumpet,  and  the  people 
returned  from  pursuing  after  Israel :  for  Joab  held 
back  the  people.  And  they  took  Absalom,  and  cast 
him  into  a  great  pit  in  the  wood,  and  laid  a  very 
great  heap  of  stones  upon  him :  and  all  Israel  fled 
every  one  to  his  tent. 

Now  Absalom  in  his  lifetime  had  taken  and 
reared  up  for  himself  a  pillar,  which  is  in  the  king's 
dale :  for  he  said,  I  have  no  son  to  keep  my  name 
in  remembrance :  and  he  called  the  pillar  after  his 
own  name :  and  it  is  called  unto  this  day,  Absalom's 
place. 

Then  said  Ahimaaz  the  son  of  Zadok,  Let  me 
now  run,  and  bear  the  king  tidings,  how  that  the 
Lord  hath  avenged  him  of  his  enemies.  And  Joab 
said  unto  him,  Thou  shalt  not  bear  tidings  this  day, 
but  thou  shalt  bear  tidings  another  day :  but  this 
day  thou  shalt  bear  no  tidings,  because  the  king's 
son  is  dead.  Then  said  Joab  to  Cushi,  Go  tell  the 
king  what  thou  hast  seen.  And  Cushi  bowed  him- 
self unto  Joab,  and  ran.  Then  said  Ahimaaz  the 
son  of  Zadok  yet  again  to  Joab,  But  howsoever,  let 
me,  I  pray  thee,  also  run  after  Cushi.  And  Joab 
said,  Wherefore  wilt  thou  run,  my  son,  seeing  that 
thou  hast  no  tidings  ready?  But  howsoever,  said 


r.CM  I   T 

.--''"j. 


rr-v 

E  REVOLT  OF  ABSALOM  205 

he,  let  me  run.  And  he  said  unto  him,  Run.  Then 
Ahimaaz  ran  by  the  way  of  the  plain,  and  overran 
Cushi. 

And  David  sat  between  the  two  gates :  and  the 
watchman  went  up  to  the  roof  over  the  gate  unto 
the  wall,  and  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  looked,  and 
behold  a  man  running  alone.  And  the  watchman 
cried,  and  told  the  king.  And  the  king  said,  If  he 
be  alone,  there  is  tidings  in  his  mouth.  And  he 
came  apace,  and  dre\v  near.  And  the  watchman 
saw  another  man  running :  and  the  watchman  called 
unto  the  porter,  and  said,  Behold  another  man 
running  alone.  And  the  king  said,  He  also  bring- 
eth  tidings.  And  the  watchman  said,  Methinketh 
the  running  of  the  foremost  is  like  the  running  of 
Ahimaaz  the  son  of  Zadok.  And  the  king  said, 
He  is  a  good  man,  and  cometh  with  good  tidings. 
And  Ahimaaz  called,  and  said  unto  the  king.  All  is 
well.  And  he  fell  down  to  the  earth  upon  his  face 
before  the  king,  and  said,  Blessed  be  the  Lord  thy 
God,  which  hath  delivered  up  the  men  that  lifted 
up  their  hand  against  my  lord  the  king.  And  the 
king  said,  Is  the  young  man  Absalom  safe?  And 
Ahimaaz  answered,  When  Joab  sent  the  king's 
servant,  and  me  thy  servant,  I  saw  a  great  tumult, 
but  I  knew  not  what  it  was.  And  the  king  said 
unto  him,  Turn  aside,  and  stand  here.  And  he 
turned  aside,  and  stood  still.  And,  behold,  Cushi 
came ;  and  Cushi  said,  Tidings,  my  lord  the  king : 
for  the  Lord  hath  avenged  thee  this  day  of  all  them 
that  rose  up  against  thee.  And  the  king  said  unto 
Cushi,  Is  the  young  man  Absalom  safe?  And 
Cushi  answered,  The  enemies  of  my  lord  the  king, 


206  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  all  that  rise  against  thee  to  do  thee  hurt,  be 
as  that  young  man  is.  And  the  king  was  much 
moved,  and  went  up  to  the  chamber  over  the  gate, 
and  wept :  and  as  he  went,  thus  he  said,  O  my  son 
Absalom,  my  son,  my  son  Absalom!  would  God  I 
had  died  for  thee,  O  Absalom,  my  son,  my  son ! 


XLII. 
3u&0ment  of  Solomon. 

i  Kings  iii.  5-28. 

IN  Gibeon  the  Lord  appeared  to  Solomon  in  a 
dream  by  night :  and  God  said,  Ask  what  I  shall 
give  thee.  And  Solomon  said,  Thou  hast  shewed 
unto  thy  servant  David  my  father  great  mercy, 
according  as  he  walked  before  thee  in  truth,  and  in 
righteousness,  and  in  uprightness  of  heart  with 
thee;  and  thou  hast  kept  for  him  this  great  kind- 
ness, that  thou  hast  given  him  a  son  to  sit  on  his 
throne,  as  it  is  this  day.  And  now,  O  Lord  my 
God,  thou  hast  made  thy  servant  king  instead  of 
David  my  father :  and  I  am  but  a  little  child :  I 
know  not  how  to  go  out  or  come  in.  And  thy 
servant  is  in  the  midst  of  thy  people  which  thou 
hast  chosen,  a  great  people,  that  cannot  be  num- 
bered nor  counted  for  multitude.  Give  therefore 
thy  servant  an  understanding  heart  to  judge  thy 
people,  that  I  may  discern  between  good  and  bad : 
for  who  is  able  to  judge  this  thy  so  great  a  people? 

And  the  speech  pleased  the  Lord,  that  Solomon 
had  asked  this  thing.  And  God  said  unto  him, 


THE  JUDGMENT  OF  SOLOMON  207 

Because  thou  hast  asked  this  thing,  and  hast  not 
asked  for  thyself  long  life ;  neither  hast  asked  riches 
for  thyself,  nor  hast  asked  the  life  of  thine  enemies ; 
but  hast  asked  for  thyself  understanding  to  discern 
judgment;  behold,  I  have  done  according  to  thy 
words :  lo,  I  have  given  thee  a  wise  and  an  under- 
standing heart;  so  that  there  was  none  like  thee 
before  thee,  neither  after  thee  shall  any  arise  like 
unto  thee.  And  I  have  also  given  thee  that  which 
thou  hast  not  asked,  both  riches,  and  honour:  so 
that  there  shall  not  be  any  among  the  kings  like 
unto  thee  all  thy  days.  And  if  thou  wilt  walk  in 
my  ways,  to  keep  my  statutes  and  my  command- 
ments, as  thy  father  David  did  walk,  then  I  will 
lengthen  thy  days.  And  Solomon  awoke ;  and, 
behold,  it  was  a  dream.  And  he  came  to  Jerusalem, 
and  stood  before  the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the 
Lord,  and  offered  up  burnt  offerings,  and  offered 
peace  offerings,  and  made  a  feast  to  all  his  servants. 
Then  came  there  two  women,  that  were  harlots, 
unto  the  king,  and  stood  before  him.  And  the  one 
woman  said,  O  my  lord,  I  and  this  woman  dwell 
in  one  house ;  and  I  was  delivered  of  a  child  with 
her  in  the  house.  And  it  came  to  pass  the  third 
day  after  that  I  was  delivered,  that  this  woman  was 
delivered  also :  and  we  were  together ;  there  was 
no  stranger  with  us  in  the  house,  save  we  two  in 
the  house.  And  this  woman's  child  died  in  the 
night;  because  she  overlaid  it.  And  she  arose  at 
midnight,  and  took  my  son  from  beside  me,  while 
thine  handmaid  slept,  and  laid  it  in  her  bosom,  and 
laid  her  dead  child  in  my  bosom.  And  when  I 
rose  in  the  morning  to  give  my  child  suck,  behold, 


208  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

it  was  dead :  but  when  I  had  considered  it  in  the 
morning,  behold,  it  was  not  my  son,  which  I  did 
bear.  And  the  other  woman  said,  Nay;  but  the 
living  is  my  son,  and  the  dead  is  thy  son.  And 
this  said,  No;  but  the  dead  is  thy  son,  and  the 
living  is  my  son.  Thus  they  spake  before  the  king. 
Then  said  the  king,  The  one  saith,  This  is  my  son 
that  liveth,  and  thy  son  is  the  dead :  and  the  other 
saith,  Nay ;  but  thy  son  is  the  dead,  and  my  son  is 
the  living.  And  the  king  said,  Bring  me  a  sword. 
And  they  brought  a  sword  before  the  king.  And 
the  king  said,  Divide  the  living  child  in  two,  and 
give  half  to  the  one,  and  half  to  the  other.  Then 
spake  the  woman  whose  the  living  child  was  unto 
the  king,  for  her  bowels  yearned  upon  her  son,  and 
she  said,  O  my  lord,  give  her  the  living  child,  and 
in  no  wise  slay  it.  But  the  other  said,  Let  it  be 
neither  mine  nor  thine,  but  divide  it.  Then  the 
king  answered  and  said,  Give  her  the  living  child, 
and  in  no  wise  slay  it :  she  is  the  mother  thereof. 
And  all  Israel  heard  of  the  judgment  which  the 
king  had  judged ;  and  they  feared  the  king :  for 
they  saw  that  the  wisdom  of  God  was  in  him,  to  do 
judgment. 

XLIII. 
Gbe  duccn  of  Sbeba. 

i  Kings  x.  1-13. 

AND  when  the  queen  of  Sheba  heard  of  the  fame 
of  Solomon  concerning  the  name  of  the  Lord,  she 
came  to  prove  him  with  hard  questions.  And  she 


THE  QUEEN  OF  SHEBA  209 

came  to  Jerusalem  with  a  very  great  train,  with 
camels  that  bare  spices,  and  very  much  gold,  and 
precious  stones :  and  when  she  was  come  to  Solo- 
mon, she  communed  with  him  of  all  that  was  in  her 
heart.  And  Solomon  told  her  all  her  questions : 
there  was  not  any  thing  hid  from  the  king,  which 
he  told  her  not.  And  when  the  queen  of  Sheba 
had  seen  all  Solomon's  wisdom,  and  the  house  that 
he  had  built,  and  the  meat  of  his  table,  and  the 
sitting  of  his  servants,  and  the  attendance  of  his 
ministers,  and  their  apparel,  and  his  cupbearers, 
and  his  ascent  by  which  he  went  up  unto  the  house 
of  the  Lord ;  there  was  no  more  spirit  in  her.  And 
she  said  to  the  king,  It  was  a  true  report  that  I 
heard  in  mine  own  land  of  thy  acts  and  of  thy 
wisdom.  Howbeit  I  believed  not  the  words,  until 
I  came,  and  mine  eyes  had  seen  it :  and,  behold,  the 
half  was  not  told  me :  thy  wisdom  and  prosperity 
exceedeth  the  fame  which  I  heard.  Happy  are  thy 
men,  happy  are  these  thy  servants,  which  stand  con- 
tinually before  thee,  and  that  hear  thy  wisdom. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord  thy  God,  which  delighted  in 
thee,  to  set  thee  on  the  throne  of  Israel :  because 
the  Lord  loved  Israel  for  ever,  therefore  made  he 
thee  king,  to  do  judgment  and  justice.  And  she 
gave  the  king  an  hundred  and  twenty  talents  of 
gold,  and  of  spices  very  great  store,  and  precious 
stones :  there  came  no  more  such  abundance  of 
spices  as  these  which  the  queen  of  Sheba  gave  to 
king  Solomon.  And  the  navy  also  of  Hiram,  that 
brought  gold  from  Ophir,  brought  in  from  Ophir 
great  plenty  of  almug  trees,  and  precious  stones. 
And  the  king  made  of  the  almug  trees  pillars  for 


210  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  for  the  king's  house, 
harps  also  and  psalteries  for  singers :  there  came 
no  such  almug  trees,  nor  were  seen  unto  this  day. 
And  king  Solomon  gave  unto  the  queen  of  Sheba 
all  her  desire,  whatsoever  she  asked,  besides  that 
which  Solomon  gave  her  of  his  royal  bounty.  So 
she  turned  and  went  to  her  own  country,  she  and 
her  servants. 

XLIV. 

IReboboam  and  Jeroboam. 

i  Kings  xi.  4-13  ;  xi.  26— xii.  20. 

FOR  it  came  to  pass,  when  Solomon  was  old,  that 
his  wives  turned  away  his  heart  after  other  gods: 
and  his  heart  was  not  perfect  with  the  Lord  his 
God,  as  was  the  heart  of  David  his  father.  For 
Solomon  went  after  Ashtoreth  the  goddess  of  the 
Zidonians,  and  after  Milcom  the  abomination  of  the 
Ammonites.  And  Solomon  did  evil  in  the  sight  of 
the  Lord,  and  went  not  fully  after  the  Lord,  as  did 
David  his  father.  Then  did  Solomon  build  an  high 
place  for  Chemosh,  the  abomination  of  Moab,  in  the 
hill  that  is  before  Jerusalem,  and  for  Molech,  the 
abomination  of  the  children  of  Ammon.  And  like- 
wise did  he  for  all  his  strange  wives,  which  burnt 
incense  and  sacrificed  unto  their  gods. 

And  the  Lord  was  angry  with  Solomon,  because 
his  heart  was  turned  from  the  Lord  God  of  Israel, 
which  had  appeared  unto  him  twice,  and  had  com- 
manded him  concerning  this  thing,  that  he  should 
not  go  after  other  gods :  but  he  kept  not  that  which 


REHOBOAM  AND  JEROBOAM      211 

the  Lord  commanded.  Wherefore  the  Lord  said 
unto  Solomon,  Forasmuch  as  this  is  done  of  thee, 
and  thou  hast  not  kept  my  covenant  and  my  stat- 
utes, which  I  have  commanded  thee,  I  will  surely 
rend  the  kingdom  from  thee,  and  will  give  it  to  thy 
servant.  Notwithstanding  in  thy  days  I  will  not 
do  it  for  David  thy  father's  sake :  but  I  will  rend 
it  out  of  the  hand  of  thy  son.  Howbeit  I  will  not 
rend  away  all  the  kingdom ;  but  will  give  one  tribe 
to  thy  son  for  David  my  servant's  sake,  and  for 
Jerusalem's  sake  which  I  have  chosen. 

•  •  •  •  • 

And  Jeroboam  the  son  of  Nebat,  an  Ephrathite 
of  Zereda,  Solomon's  servant,  whose  mother's 
name  was  Zeruah,  a  widow  woman,  even  he  lifted 
up  his  hand  against  the  king.  And  this  was  the 
cause  that  he  lifted  up  his  hand  against  the  king: 
Solomon  built  Millo,  and  repaired  the  breaches  of 
the  city  of  David  his  father.  And  the  man  Jero- 
boam was  a  mighty  man  of  valour:  and  Solomon 
seeing  the  young  man  that  he  was  industrious,  he 
made  him  ruler  over  all  the  charge  of  the  house 
of  Joseph. 

And  it  came  to  pass  at  that  time  when  Jeroboam 
went  out  of  Jerusalem,  that  the  prophet  Ahijah  the 
Shilonite  found  him  in  the  way ;  and  he  had  clad 
himself  with  a  new  garment ;  and  they  two  were 
alone  in  the  field :  and  Ahijah  caught  the  new  gar- 
ment that  was  on  him,  and  rent  it  in  twelve  pieces : 
and  he  said  to  Jeroboam,  Take  thee  ten  pieces :  for 
thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel,  Behold,  I 
will  rend  the  kingdom  out  of  the  hand  of  Solomon, 
and  will  give  ten  tribes  to  thee :  (but  he  shall  have 


212  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

one  tribe  for  my  servant  David's  sake,  and  for 
Jerusalem's  sake,  the  city  which  I  have  chosen  out 
of  all  the  tribes  of  Israel:)  because  that  they  have 
forsaken  me,  and  have  worshipped  Ashtoreth  the 
goddess  of  the  Zidonians,  Chemosh  the  god  of  the 
Moabites,  and  Milcom  the  god  of  the  children  of 
Ammon,  and  have  not  walked  in  my  ways,  to  do 
that  which  is  right  in  mine  eyes,  and  to  keep  my 
statutes  and  my  judgments,  as  did  David  his  father. 
Howbeit  I  will  not  take  the  whole  kingdom  out  of 
his  hand:  but  I  will  make  him  prince  all  the  days 
of  his  life  for  David  my  servant's  sake,  whom  I 
chose,  because  he  kept  my  commandments  and  my 
statutes :  but  I  will  take  the  kingdom  out  of  his 
son's  hand,  and  will  give  it  unto  thee,  even  ten 
tribes.  And  unto  his  son  will  I  give  one  tribe,  that 
David  my  servant  may  have  a  light  alway  before 
me  in  Jerusalem,  the  city  which  I  have  chosen  me  to 
put  my  name  there.  And  I  will  take  thee,  and 
thou  shalt  reign  according  to  all  that  thy  soul 
desireth,  and  shalt  be  king  over  Israel.  And  it 
shall  be,  if  thou  wilt  hearken  unto  all  that  I  com- 
mand thee,  and  wilt  walk  in  my  ways,  and  do  that 
is  right  in  my  sight,  to  keep  my  statutes  and  my 
commandments,  as  David  my  servant  did;  that  I 
will  be  with  thee,  and  build  thee  a  sure  house,  as 
I  built  for  David,  and  will  give  Israel  unto  thee. 
And  I  will  for  this  afflict  the  seed  of  David,  but  not 
for  ever.  Solomon  sought  therefore  to  kill  Jero- 
boam. And  Jeroboam  arose,  and  fled  into  Egypt, 
unto  Shishak  king  of  Egypt,  and  was  in  Egypt  until 
the  death  of  Solomon. 

And  the  rest  of  the  acts  of  Solomon,  and  all  that 


REHOBOAM  AND  JEROBOAM      213 

he  did,  and  his  wisdom,  are  they  not  written  in  the 
book  of  the  acts  of  Solomon  ?  And  the  time  that 
Solomon  reigned  in  Jerusalem  over  all  Israel  was 
forty  years.  And  Solomon  slept  with  his  fathers, 
and  was  buried  in  the  city  of  David  his  father :  and 
Rehoboam  his  son  reigned  in  his  stead. 

And  Rehoboam  went  to  Shechem :  for  all  Israel 
were  come  to  Shechem  to  make  him  king.  And 
it  came  to  pass,  when  Jeroboam  the  son  of  Nebat, 
who  was  yet  in  Egypt,  heard  of  it,  (for  he  was 
fled  from  the  presence  of  king  Solomon,  and  Jero- 
boam dwelt  in  Egypt;)  that  they  sent  and  called 
him.  And  Jeroboam  and  all  the  congregation  of 
Israel  came,  and  spake  unto  Rehoboam,  saying,  Thy 
father  made  our  yoke  grievous :  now  therefore  make 
thou  the  grievous  service  of  thy  father,  and  his 
heavy  yoke  which  he  put  upon  us,  lighter,  and  we 
will  serve  thee.  And  he  said  unto  them,  Depart 
yet  for  three  days,  then  come  again  to  me.  And 
the  people  departed. 

And  king  Rehoboam  consulted  with  the  old  men, 
that  stood  before  Solomon  his  father  while  he  yet 
lived,  and  said,  How  do  ye  advise  that  I  may  answer 
this  people?  And  they  spake  unto  him,  saying,  If 
thou  wilt  be  a  servant  unto  this  people  this  day, 
and  wilt  serve  them,  and  answer  them,  and  speak 
good  words  to  them,  then  they  will  be  thy  servants 
for  ever.  But  he  forsook  the  counsel  of  the  old 
men,  which  they  had  given  him,  and  consulted  with 
the  young  men  that  were  grown  up  with  him,  and 
which  stood  before  him :  and  he  said  unto  them, 
What  counsel  give  ye  that  we  may  answer  this 
people,  who  have  spoken  to  me,  saying,  Make  the 


214  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

yoke  which  thy  father  did  put  upon  us  lighter? 
And  the  young  men  that  were  grown  up  with  him 
spake  unto  him,  saying,  Thus  shalt  thou  speak  unto 
this  people  that  spake  unto  thee,  saying,  Thy  father 
made  our  yoke  heavy,  but  make  thou  it  lighter  unto 
us ;  thus  shalt  thou  say  unto  them,  My  little  finger 
shall  be  thicker  than  my  father's  loins.  And  now 
whereas  my  father  did  lade  you  with  a  heavy  yoke, 
I  will  add  to  your  yoke :  my  father  hath  chastised 
you  with  whips,  but  I  will  chastise  you  with  scor- 
pions. 

So  Jeroboam  and  all  the  people  came  to  Reho- 
boam  the  third  day,  as  the  king  had  appointed, 
saying,  Come  to  me  again  the  third  day.  And  the 
king  answered  the  people  roughly,  and  forsook  the 
old  men's  counsel  that  they  gave  him ;  and  spake 
to  them  after  the  counsel  of  the  young  men,  saying, 
My  father  made  your  yoke  heavy,  and  I  will  add  to 
your  yoke :  my  father  also  chastised  you  with  whips, 
but  I  will  chastise  you  with  scorpions.  Wherefore 
the  king  hearkened  not  unto  the  people ;  for  the 
cause  was  from  the  Lord,  that  he  might  perform 
his  saying,  which  the  Lord  spake  by  Ahijah  the 
Shilonite  unto  Jeroboam  the  son  of  Nebat. 

So  when  all  Israel  saw  that  the  king  hearkened 
not  unto  them,  the  people  answered  the  king,  say- 
ing, What  portion  have  we  in  David?  neither  have 
we  inheritance  in  the  son  of  Jesse :  to  your  tents, 
O  Israel :  now  see  to  thine  own  house,  David.  So 
Israel  departed  unto  their  tents.  But  as  for  the 
children  of  Israel  which  dwelt  in  the  cities  of 
Judah,  Rehoboam  reigned  over  them.  Then  king 
Rehoboam  sent  Adoram,  who  was  over  the  tribute ; 


ELIJAH  215 

and  all  Israel  stoned  him  with  stones,  that  he  died. 
Therefore  king  Rehoboam  made  speed  to  get  him 
up  to  his  chariot,  to  flee  to  Jerusalem.  So  Israel 
rebelled  against  the  house  of  David  unto  this  day. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  when  all  Israel  heard  that 
Jeroboam  was  come  again,  that  they  sent  and 
called  him  unto  the  congregation,  and  made  him 
king  over  all  Israel:  there  was  none  that  followed 
the  house  of  David,  but  the  tribe  of  Judah  only. 


XLV. 

Blijab. 

i  Kings  xvi.  29-33  ;  xvii.  1-16 ;  xviii.  1-2  ;  xviii.  17 — xix. 

AND  in  the  thirty  and  eighth  year  of  Asa  king 
of  Judah  began  Ahab  the  son  of  Omri  to  reign  over 
Israel:  and  Ahab  the  son  of  Omri  reigned  over 
Israel  in  Samaria  twenty  and  two  years.  And 
Ahab  the  son  of  Omri  did  evil  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord  above  all  that  were  before  him.  And  it  came 
to  pass,  as  if  it  had  been  a  light  thing  for  him  to 
walk  in  the  sins  of  Jeroboam  the  son  of  Nebat,  that 
he  took  to  wife  Jezebel  the  daughter  of  Ethbaal 
king  of  the  Zidonians,  and  went  and  served  Baal, 
and  worshipped  him.  And  he  reared  up  an  altar 
for  Baal  in  the  house  of  Baal,  which  he  had  built 
in  Samaria.  And  Ahab  made  a  grove ;  and  Ahab 
did  more  to  provoke  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  to 
anger  than  all  the  kings  of  Israel  that  were  before 
him. 


2i6  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  Elijah  the  Tishbite,  who  was  of  the  in- 
habitants of  Gilead,  said  unto  Ahab,  As  the  Lord 
God  of  Israel  liveth,  before  whom  I  stand,  there 
shall  not  be  dew  nor  rain  these  years,  but  according 
to  my  word.  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto 
him,  saying,  Get  thee  hence,  and  turn  thee  eastward, 
and  hide  thyself  by  the  brook  Cherith,  that  is  before 
Jordan.  And  it  shall  be,  that  thou  shalt  drink  of 
the  brook ;  and  I  have  commanded  the  ravens  to 
feed  thee  there.  So  he  went  and  did  according  unto 
the  word  of  the  Lord :  for  he  went  and  dwelt  by  the 
brook  Cherith,  that  is  before  Jordan.  And  the 
ravens  brought  him  bread  and  flesh  in  the  morning, 
and  bread  and  flesh  in  the  evening;  and  he  drank 
of  the  brook.  And  it  came  to  pass  after  a  while, 
that  the  brook  dried  up,  because  there  had  been 
no  rain  in  the  land. 

And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  him,  saying, 
Arise,  get  thee  to  Zarephath,  which  belongeth  to 
Zidon,  and  dwell  there :  behold,  I  have  commanded 
a  widow  woman  there  to  sustain  thee.  So  he  arose 
and  went  to  Zarephath.  And  when  he  came  to  the 
gate  of  the  city,  behold,  the  widow  woman  was 
there  gathering  of  sticks :  and  he  called  to  her,  and 
said,  Fetch  me,  I  pray  thee,  a  little  water  in  a  vessel, 
that  I  may  drink.  And  as  she  was  going  to  fetch 
it,  he  called  to  her,  and  said,  Bring  me,  I  pray  thee, 
a  morsel  of  bread  in  thine  hand.  And  she  said, 
As  the  Lord  thy  God  liveth,  I  have  not  a  cake,  but 
an  handful  of  meal  in  a  barrel,  and  a  little  oil  in  a 
cruse :  and,  behold,  I  am  gathering  two  sticks,  that 
I  may  go  in  and  dress  it  for  me  and  my  son,  that 
we  may  eat  it,  and  die.  And  Elijah  said  unto  her, 


ELIJAH 


217 


Fear  not ;  go  and  do  as  thou  hast  said :  but  make 
me  thereof  a  little  cake  first,  and  bring  it  unto  me, 
and  after  make  for  thee  and  for  thy  son.  For  thus 
saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  The  barrel  of  meal 
shall  not  waste,  neither  shall  the  cruse  of  oil  fail, 
until  the  day  that  the  Lord  sendeth  rain  upon  the 
earth.  And  she  went  and  did  according  to  the 
saying  of  Elijah :  and  she,  and  he,  and  her  house, 
did  eat  many  days.  And  the  barrel  of  meal  wasted 
not,  neither  did  the  cruse  of  oil  fail,  according  to 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  which  he  spake  by  Elijah. 

•  •  *  •  • 

And  it  came  to  pass  after  many  days,  that  the 
word  of  the  Lord  came  to  Elijah  in  the  third  year, 
saying,  Go,  shew  thyself  unto  Ahab ;  and  I  will 
send  rain  upon  the  earth.  And  Elijah  went  to 
shew  himself  unto  Ahab.  And  there  was  a  sore 
famine  in  Samaria. 

*  •  •  •  • 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Ahab  saw  Elijah,  that 
Ahab  said  unto  him,  Art  thou  he  that  troubleth 
Israel?  And  he  answered,  I  have  not  troubled 
Israel ;  but  thou,  and  thy  father's  house,  in  that  ye 
have  forsaken  the  commandments  of  the  Lord,  and 
thou  hast  followed  Baalim.  Now  therefore  send, 
and  gather  to  me  all  Israel  unto  mount  Carmel,  and 
the  prophets  of  Baal  four  hundred  and  fifty,  and 
the  prophets  of  the  groves  four  hundred,  which 
eat  at  Jezebel's  table.  So  Ahab  sent  unto  all  the 
children  of  Israel,  and  gathered  the  prophets  to- 
gether unto  mount  Carmel. 

And  Elijah  came  unto  all  the  people,  and  said, 
How  long  halt  ye  between  two  opinions?  if  the 


2i8  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Lord  be  God,  follow  him:  but  if  Baal,  then  follow 
him.  And  the  people  answered  him  not  a  word. 
Then  said  Elijah  unto  the  people,  I,  even  I  only, 
remain  a  prophet  of  the  Lord ;  but  Baal's  prophets 
are  four  hundred  and  fifty  men.  Let  them  there- 
fore give  us  two  bullocks ;  and  let  them  choose  one 
bullock  for  themselves,  and  cut  it  in  pieces,  and  lay 
it  on  wood,  and  put  no  fire  under :  and  I  will  dress 
the  other  bullock,  and  lay  it  on  wood,  and  put  no 
fire  under:  and  call  ye  on  the  name  of  your  gods, 
and  I  will  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord:  and  the 
God  that  answereth  by  fire,  let  him  be  God.  And 
all  the  people  answered  and  said,  It  is  well  spoken. 
And  Elijah  said  unto  the  prophets  of  Baal,  Choose 
you  one  bullock  for  yourselves,  and  dress  it  first; 
for  ye  are  many ;  and  call  on  the  name  of  your  gods, 
but  put  no  fire  under.  And  they  took  the  bullock 
which  was  given  them,  and  they  dressed  it,  and 
called  on  the  name  of  Baal  from  morning  even  until 
noon,  saying,  O  Baal,  hear  us.  But  there  was  no 
voice,  nor  any  that  answered.  And  they  leaped 
upon  the  altar  which  was  made.  And  it  came  to 
pass  at  noon,  that  Elijah  mocked  them,  and  said, 
Cry  aloud :  for  he  is  a  god ;  either  he  is  talking,  or 
he  is  pursuing,  or  he  is  in  a  journey,  or  perad- 
venture  he  sleepeth,  and  must  be  awaked.  And 
they  cried  aloud,  and  cut  themselves  after  their 
manner  with  knives  and  lancets,  till  the  blood 
gushed  out  upon  them.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when 
midday  was  past,  and  they  prophesied  until  the 
time  of  the  offering  of  the  evening  sacrifice,  that 
there  was  neither  voice,  nor  any  to  answer,  nor  any 
that  regarded. 


ELIJAH  219 

And  Elijah  said  unto  all  the  people,  Come  near 
unto  me.  And  all  the  people  came  near  unto  him. 
And  he  repaired  the  altar  of  the  Lord  that  was 
broken  down.  And  Elijah  took  twelve  stones,  ac- 
cording to  the  number  of  the  tribes  of  the  sons  of 
Jacob,  unto  whom  the  word  of  the  Lord  came,  say- 
ing, Israel  shall  be  thy  name :  and  with  the  stones 
he  built  an  altar  in  the  name  of  the  Lord:  and  he 
made  a  trench  about  the  altar,  as  great  as  would 
contain  two  measures  of  seed.  And  he  put  the 
wood  in  order,  and  cut  the  bullock  in  pieces,  and 
laid  him  on  the  wood,  and  said,  Fill  four  barrels 
with  water,  and  pour  it  on  the  burnt  sacrifice,  and 
on  the  wood.  And  he  said,  Do  it  the  second  time. 
And  they  did  it  the  second  time.  And  he  said,  Do 
it  the  third  time.  And  they  did  it  the  third  time. 
And  the  water  ran  round  about  the  altar ;  and  he 
filled  the  trench  also  with  water. 

And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  time  of  the  offering 
of  the  evening  sacrifice,  that  Elijah  the  prophet 
came  near,  and  said,  Lord  God  of  Abraham,  Isaac, 
and  of  Israel,  let  it  be  known  this  day  that  thou  art 
God  in  Israel,  and  that  I  am  thy  servant,  and  that 
I  have  done  all  these  things  at  thy  word.  Hear 
me,  O  Lord,  hear  me,  that  this  people  may  know 
that  thou  art  the  Lord  God,  and  that  thou  hast 
turned  their  heart  back  again.  Then  the  fire  of  the 
Lord  fell,  and  consumed  the  burnt  sacrifice,  and 
the  wood,  and  the  stones,  and  the  dust,  and  licked 
up  the  water  that  was  in  the  trench.  And  when 
all  the  people  saw  it,  they  fell  on  their  faces; 
and  they  said,  The  Lord,  he  is  the  God;  the 
Lord,  he  is  the  God.  And  Elijah  said  unto  them, 


220  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Take  the  prophets  of  Baal ;  let  not  one  of  them 
escape.  And  they  took  them:  and  Elijah  brought 
them  down  to  the  brook  Kishon,  and  slew  them 
there. 

And  Elijah  said  unto  Ahab,  Get  thee  up,  eat  and 
drink;  for  there  is  a  sound  of  abundance  of  rain. 
So  Ahab  went  up  to  eat  and  to  drink.  And  Elijah 
went  up  to  the  top  of  Carmel;  and  he  cast  himself 
down  upon  the  earth,  and  put  his  face  between 
his  knees,  and  said  to  his  servant,  Go  up  now,  look 
toward  the  sea.  And  he  went  up,  and  looked,  and 
said,  There  is  nothing.  And  he  said,  Go  again 
seven  times.  And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  seventh 
time,  that  he  said,  Behold,  there  ariseth  a  little 
cloud  out  of  the  sea,  like  a  man's  hand.  And  he 
said,  Go  up,  say  unto  Ahab,  Prepare  thy  chariot, 
and  get  thee  down,  that  the  rain  stop  thee  not. 
And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  mean  while,  that  the 
heaven  was  black  with  clouds  and  wind,  and  there 
was  a  great  rain.  And  Ahab  rode,  and  went  to 
Jezreel.  And  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  on  Elijah ; 
and  he  girded  up  his  loins,  and  ran  before  Ahab  to 
the  entrance  of  Jezreel. 

And  Ahab  told  Jezebel  all  that  Elijah  had  done, 
and  withal  how  he  had  slain  all  the  prophets  with 
the  sword.  Then  Jezebel  sent  a  messenger  unto 
Elijah,  saying,  So  let  the  gods  do  to  me,  and  more 
also,  if  I  make  not  thy  life  as  the  life  of  one  of  them 
by  to  morrow  about  this  time.  And  when  he  saw 
that,  he  arose,  and  went  for  his  life,  and  came  to 
Beer-sheba,  which  belongeth  to  Judah,  and  left  his 
servant  there. 

But   he   himself  went  a   day's  journey   into  the 


ELIJAH  221 

• 
wilderness,  and  came  and  sat  down  under  a  juniper 

tree :  and  he  requested  for  himself  that  he  might 
die ;  and  said,  It  is  enough ;  now,  O  Lord,  take 
away  my  life;  for  I  am  not  better  than  my  fathers. 
And  as  he  lay  and  slept  under  a  juniper  tree,  be- 
hold, then  an  angel  touched  him,  and  said  unto 
him,  Arise  and  eat.  And  he  looked,  and,  behold, 
there  was  a  cake  baken  on  the  coals,  and  a  cruse 
of  water  at  his  head.  And  he  did  eat  and  drink, 
and  laid  him  down  again.  And  the  angel  of  the 
Lord  came  again  the  second  time,  and  touched 
him,  and  said,  Arise  and  eat;  because  the  journey 
is  too  great  for  thee.  And  he  arose,  and  did  eat 
and  drink,  and  went  in  the  strength  of  that  meat 
forty  days  and  forty  nights  unto  Horeb  the  mount 
of  God. 

And  he  came  thither  unto  a  cave,  and  lodged 
there ;  and,  behold,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to 
him,  and  he  said  unto  him,  What  doest  thou  here, 
Elijah?  And  he  said,  I  have  been  very  jealous 
for  the  Lord  God  of  hosts :  for  the  children  of 
Israel  have  forsaken  thy  covenant,  thrown  down 
thine  altars,  and  slain  thy  prophets  with  the 
sword ;  and  I,  even  I  only,  am  left ;  and  they  seek 
my  life,  to  take  it  away.  And  he  said,  Go  forth, 
and  stand  upon  the  mount  before  the  Lord.  And, 
behold,  the  Lord  passed  by,  and  a  great  and  strong 
wind  rent  the  mountains,  and  brake  in  pieces  the  rocks 
before  the  Lord ;  but  the  Lord  was  not  in  the  wind : 
and  after  the  wind  an  earthquake ;  but  the  Lord  was 
not  in  the  earthquake:  and  after  the  earthquake  a 
fire;  but  the  Lord  was  not  in  the  fire:  and  after 
the  fire  a  still  small  voice.  And  it  was  so,  when 


222  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

• 
Elijah   heard   it,   that  he   wrapped  his   face   in  his 

mantle,  and  went  out,  and  stood  in  the  entering  in 
of  the  cave.  And,  behold,  there  came  a  voice  unto 
him,  and  said,  What  doest  thou  here,  Elijah? 
And  he  said,  I  have  been  very  jealous  for  the  Lord 
God  of  hosts :  because  the  children  of  Israel  have 
forsaken  thy  covenant,  thrown  down  thine  altars, 
and  slain  thy  prophets  with  the  sword ;  and  I,  even 
I  only,  am  left;  and  they  seek  my  life,  to  take  it 
away.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  Go,  return  on 
thy  way  to  the  wilderness  of  Damascus :  and  when 
thou  comest,  anoint  Hazael  to  be  king  over  Syria : 
and  Jehu  the  son  of  Nimshi  shalt  thou  anoint  to 
be  king  over  Israel :  and  Elisha  the  son  of  Shaphat 
of  Abel-rneholah  -shalt  thou  anoint  to  be  prophet 
in  thy  room.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  him 
that  escapeth  the  sword  of  Hazael  shall  Jehu  slay : 
and  him  that  escapeth  from  the  sword  of  Jehu  shall 
Elisha  slay.  Yet  I  have  left  me  seven  thousand 
in  Israel,  all  the  knees  which  have  not  bowed  unto 
Baal,  and  every  mouth  which  hath  not  kissed 
him. 

So  he  departed  thence,  and  found  Elisha  the  son 
of  Shaphat,  who  was  plowing  with  twelve  yoke 
of  oxen  before  him,  and  he  with  the  twelfth :  and 
Elijah  passed  by  him,  and  cast  his  mantle  upon 
him.  And  he  left  the  oxen,  and  ran  after  Elijah, 
and  said,  Let  me,  I  pray  thee,  kiss  my  father  and 
my  mother,  and  then  I  will  follow  thee.  And  he 
said  unto  him,  Go  back  again :  for  what  have  I 
done  to  thee?  And  he  returned  back  from  him, 
and  took  a  yoke  of  oxen,  and  slew  them,  and  boiled 
their  flesh  with  the  instruments  of  the  oxen,  and 


NABOTH'S  VINEYARD  223 

gave  unto  the  people,  and  they  did  eat.  Then  he 
arose,  and  went  after  Elijah,  and  ministered  unto 
him. 

XLVI. 
Tftabotb's  Dine^arD. 

i  Kings  xxi. 

AND  it  came  to  pass  after  these  things,  that 
Naboth  the  Jezreelite  had  a  vineyard,  which  was 
in  Jezreel,  hard  by  the  palace  of  Ahab  king  of 
Samaria.  And  Ahab  spake  unto  Naboth,  saying, 
Give  me  thy  vineyard,  that  I  may  have  it  for  a 
garden  of  herbs,  because  it  is  near  unto  my  house : 
and  I  will  give  thee  for  it  a  better  vineyard  than  it ; 
or,  if  it  seem  good  to  thee,  I  will  give  thee  the 
worth  of  it  in  money.  And  Naboth  said  to  Ahab, 
The  Lord  forbid  it  me,  that  I  should  give  the 
inheritance  of  my  fathers  unto  thee.  And  Ahab 
came  into  his  house  heavy  and  displeased  because 
of  the  word  which  Naboth  the  Jezreelite  had  spoken 
to  him:  for  he  had  said,  I  will  not  give  thee  the 
inheritance  of  my  fathers.  And- he  laid  him  down 
upon  his  bed,  and  turned  away  his  face,  and  would 
eat  no  bread. 

But  Jezebel  his  wife  came  to  him,  and  said  unto 
him,  Why  is  thy  spirit  so  sad,  that  thou  eatest  no 
bread?  And  he  said  unto  her,  Because  I  spake 
unto  Naboth  the  Jezreelite,  and  said  unto  him,  Give 
me  thy  vineyard  for  money ;  or  else,  if  it  please 
thee,  I  will  give  thee  another  vineyard  for  it :  and 
he  answered,  I  will  not  give  thee  my  vineyard. 


224  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  Jezebel  his  wife  said  unto  him,  Dost  thou  now 
govern  the  kingdom  of  Israel  ?  arise,  and  eat  bread, 
and  let  thine  heart  be  merry :  I  will  give  thee  the 
vineyard  of  Naboth  the  Jezreelite.  So  she  wrote 
letters  in  Ahab's  name,  and  sealed  them  with  his 
seal,  and  sent  the  letters  unto  the  elders  and  to  the 
nobles  that  were  in  his  city,  dwelling  with  Naboth. 
And  she  wrote  in  the  letters,  saying,  Proclaim  a 
fast,  and  set  Naboth  on  high  among  the  people : 
and  set  two  men,  sons  of  Belial,  before  him,  to  bear 
witness  against  him,  saying,  Thou  didst  blaspheme 
God  and  the  king.  And  then  carry  him  out,  and 
stone  him,  that  he  may  die. 

And  the  men  of  his  city,  even  the  elders  and  the 
nobles  who  were  the  inhabitants  in  his  city,  did  as 
Jezebel  had  sent  unto  them,  and  as  it  was  written 
in  the  letters  which  she  had  sent  unto  them.  They 
proclaimed  a  fast,  and  set  Naboth  on  high  among 
the  people.  And  there  came  in  two  men,  children 
of  Belial,  and  sat  before  him :  and  the  men  of  Belial 
witnessed  against  him,  even  against  Naboth,  in  the 
presence  of  the  people,  saying,  Naboth  did  blas- 
pheme God  and  the  king.  Then  they  carried  him 
forth  out  of  the  city,  and  stoned  him  with  stones, 
that  he  died.  Then  they  sent  to  Jezebel,  saying, 
Naboth  is  stoned,  and  is  dead. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Jezebel  heard  that 
Naboth  was  stoned,  and  was  dead,  that  Jezebel  said 
to  Ahab,  Arise,  take  possession  of  the  vineyard  of 
Naboth  the  Jezreelite,  which  he  refused  to  give 
thee  for  money:  for  Naboth  is  not  alive,  but  dead. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Ahab  heard  that  Naboth 
was  dead,  that  Ahab  rose  up  to  go  down  to  the 


NABOTH'S  VINEYARD  225 

vineyard  of  Naboth  the  Jezreelite,  to  take  possession 
of  it. 

And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  Elijah  the 
Tishbite,  saying,  Arise,  go  down  to  meet  Ahab 
king  of  Israel,  which  is  in  Samaria :  behold,  he  is  in 
the  vineyard  of  Naboth,  whither  he  is  gone  down 
to  possess  it.  And  thou  shalt  speak  unto  him,  say- 
ing, Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Hast  thou  killed,  and 
also  taken  possession?  And  thou  shalt  speak  unto 
him,  saying,  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  In  the  place 
where  dogs  licked  the  blood  of  Naboth  shall  dogs 
lick  thy  blood,  even  thine.  And  Ahab  said  to 
Elijah,  Hast  thou  found  me,  O  mine  enemy?  And 
he  answered,  I  have  found  thee :  because  thou  hast 
sold  thyself  to  work  evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord. 
Behold,  I  will  bring  evil  upon  thee,  and  will  take 
away  thy  posterity,  and  will  cut  off  from  Ahab 
him  that  pisseth  against  the  wall,  and  him  that  is 
shut  up  and  left  in  Israel,  and  will  make  thine 
house  like  the  house  of  Jeroboam  the  son  of  Nebat, 
and  like  the  house  of  Baasha  the  son  of  Ahijah, 
for  the  provocation  wherewith  thou  hast  provoked 
me  to  anger,  and  made  Israel  to  sin.  And  of 
Jezebel  also  spake  the  Lord,  saying,  The  dogs  shall 
eat  Jezebel  by  the  wall  of  Jezreel.  Him  that  dieth 
of  Ahab  in  the  city  the  dogs  shall  eat ;  and  him  that 
dieth  in  the  field  shall  the  fowls  of  the  air  eat. 

But  there  was  none  like  unto  Ahab,  which  did 
sell  himself  to  work  wickedness  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord,  whom  Jezebel  his  wife  stirred  up.  And  he 
did  very  abominably  in  following  idols,  according 
to  all  things  as  did  the  Amorites,  whom  the  Lord 
cast  out  before  the  children  of  Israel. 


226  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Ahab  heard  those 
words,  that  he  rent  his  clothes,  and  put  sackcloth 
upon  his  flesh,  and  fasted,  and  lay  in  sackcloth,  and 
went  softly.  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to 
Elijah  the  Tishbite,  saying,  Seest  thou  how  Ahab 
humbleth  himself  before  me?  because  he  humbleth 
himself  before  me,  I  will  not  bring  the  evil  in  his 
days :  but  in  his  son's  days  will  I  bring  the  evil  upon 
his  house. 

XLVII. 
Gbe  2>eatb  of  Bbab. 

i  Kings  xxii.  29-40. 

So  the  king  of  Israel  and  Jehoshaphat  the  king 
of  Judah  went  up  to  Ramoth-gilead.  And  the  king 
of  Israel  said  unto  Jehoshaphat,  I  will  disguise  my- 
self, and  enter  into  the  battle;  but  put  thou  on 
thy  robes.  And  the  king  of  Israel  disguised  him- 
self, and  went  into  the  battle.  But  the  king  of 
Syria  commanded  his  thirty  and  two  captains  that 
had  rule  over  his  chariots,  saying,  Fight  neither 
with  small  nor  great,  save  only  with  the  king  of 
Israel.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  captains 
of  the  chariots  saw  Jehoshaphat,  that  they  said, 
Surely  it  is  the  king  of  Israel.  And  they  turned 
aside  to  fight  against  him :  and  Jehoshaphat  cried 
out.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  captains  of  the 
chariots  perceived  that  it  was  not  the  king  of  Israel, 
that  they  turned  back  from  pursuing  him.  And  a 
certain  man  drew  a  bow  at  a  venture,  and  smote  the 
king  of  Israel  between  the  joints  of  the  harness : 
wherefore  he  said  unto  the  driver  of  his  chariot, 


THE  TRANSLATION  OF  ELIJAH  227 

Turn  thine  hand,  and  carry  me  out  of  the  host ; 
for  I  am  wounded.  And  the  battle  increased  that 
day :  and  the  king  was  stayed  up  in  his  chariot 
against  the  Syrians,  and  died  at  even :  and  the 
blood  ran  out  of  the  wound  into  the  midst  of  the 
chariot.  And  there  went  a  proclamation  through- 
out the  host  about  the  going  down  of  the  sun,  say- 
ing, Every  man  to  his  city,  and  every  man  to  his 
own  country.  So  the  king  died,  and  was  brought 
to  Samaria ;  and  they  buried  the  king  in  Samaria. 
And  one  washed  the  chariot  in  the  pool  of  Samaria ; 
and  the  dogs  licked  up  his  blood ;  and  they  washed 
his  armour;  according  unto  the  word  of  the  Lord 
which  he  spake. 

Now  the  rest  of  the  acts  of  Ahab,  and  all  that  he 
did,  and  the  ivory  house  which  he  made,  and  all 
the  cities  that  he  built,  are  they  not  written  in  the 

./ 

book  of  the  chronicles  of  the  kings  of  Israel?  So 
Ahab  slept  with  his  fathers;  and  Ahaziah  his  son 
reigned  in  his  stead. 

XLVIII. 

Gbe  translation  of  Blfjab. 

ii  Kings  ii. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  Lord  would  take 
up  Elijah  into  heaven  by  a  whirlwind,  that  Elijah 
went  with  Elisha  from  Gilgal.  And  Elijah  said 
unto  Elisha,  Tarry  here,  I  pray  thee;  for  the  Lord 
hath  sent  me  to  Beth-el.  And  Elisha  said  unto 
him,  As  the  Lord  liveth,  and  as  thy  soul  liveth,  I 
will  not  leave  thee.  So  they  went  down  to  Beth-el. 


228  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  the  sons  of  the  prophets  that  were  at  Beth-el 
came  forth  to  Elisha,  and  said  unto  him,  Knowest 
thou  that  the  Lord  will  take  away  thy  master  from 
thy  head  to  day?  And  he  said,  Yea,  I  know  it; 
hold  ye  your  peace.  And  Elijah  said  unto  him, 
Elisha,  tarry  here,  I  pray  thee ;  for  the  Lord  hath 
sent  me  to  Jericho.  And  he  said,  As  the  Lord 
liveth,  and  as  thy  soul  liveth,  I  will  not  leave  thee. 
So  they  came  to  Jericho.  And  the  sons  of  the 
prophets  that  were  at  Jericho  came  to  Elisha,  and 
said  unto  him,  Knowest  thou  that  the  Lord  will 
take  away  thy  master  from  thy  head  to  day?  And 
he  answered,  Yea,  I  know  it ;  hold  ye  your  peace. 
And  Elijah  said  unto  him,  Tarry,  I  pray  thee,  here ; 
for  the  Lord  hath  sent  me  to  Jordan.  And  he 
said,  As  the  Lord  liveth,  and  as  thy  soul  liveth,  I 
will  not  leave  thee.  And  they  two  went  on.  And 
fifty  men  of  the  sons  of  the  prophets  went,  and  stood 
to  view  afar  off:  and  they  two  stood  by  Jordan. 
And  Elijah  took  his  mantle,  and  wrapped  it  to- 
gether, and  smote  the  waters,  and  they  were  divided 
hither  and  thither,  so  that  they  two  went  over  on 
dry  ground. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  they  were  gone  over, 
that  Elijah  said  unto  Elisha,  Ask  what  I  shall  do 
for  thee,  before  I  be  taken  away  from  thee.  And 
Elisha  said,  I  pray  thee,  let  a  double  portion  of  thy 
spirit  be  upon  me.  And  he  said,  Thou  hast  asked 
a  hard  thing:  nevertheless,  if  thou  see  me  when  I 
am  taken  from  thee,  it  shall  be  so  unto  thee;  but 
if  not,  it  shall  not  be  so.  And  it  came  to  pass,  as 
they  still  went  on,  and  talked,  that,  behold,  there 
appeared  a  chariot  of  fire,  and  horses  of  fire,  and 


THE  TRANSLATION  OF  ELIJAH  229 

parted  them  both  asunder ;  and  Elijah  went  up  by 
a  whirlwind  into  heaven. 

And  Elisha  saw  it,  and  he  cried,  My  father,  my 
father,  the  chariot  of  Israel,  and  the  horsemen 
thereof.  And  he  saw  him  no  more :  and  he  took 
hold  of  his  own  clothes,  and  rent  them  in  two 
pieces.  He  took  up  also  the  mantle  of  Elijah  that 
fell  from  him,  and  went  back,  and  stood  by  the  bank 
of  Jordan;  and  he  took  the  mantle  of  Elijah  that 
fell  from  him,  and  smote  the  waters,  and  said, 
Where  is  the  Lord  God  of  Elijah?  And  when  he 
also  had  smitten  the  waters,  they  parted  hither  and 
thither:  and  Elisha  went  over. 

And  when  the  sons  of  the  prophets  which  were 
to  view  at  Jericho  saw  him,  they  said,  The  spirit 
of  Elijah  doth  rest  on  Elisha.  And  they  came  to 
meet  him,  and  bowed  themselves  to  the  ground 
before  him.  And  they  said  unto  him,  Behold  now, 
there  be  with  thy  servants  fifty  strong  men ;  let 
them  go,  we  pray  thee,  and  seek  thy  master :  lest 
peradventure  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  hath  taken  him 
up,  and  cast  him  upon  some  mountain,  or  into  some 
valley.  And  he  said,  Ye  shall  not  send.  And 
when  they  urged  him  till  he  was  ashamed,  he  said, 
Send.  They  sent  therefore  fifty  men ;  and  they 
sought  three  days,  but  found  him  not.  And  when 
they  came  again  to  him,  (for  he  tarried  at  Jericho,) 
he  said  unto  them.  Did  I  not  say  unto  you,  Go  not? 

And  the  men  of  the  city  said  unto  Elisha,  Behold, 
I  pray  thee,  the  situation  of  this  city  is  pleasant,  as 
my  lord  seeth :  but  the  water  is  naught,  and  the 
ground  barren.  And  he  said,  Bring  me  a  new 
cruse,  and  put  salt  therein.  And  they  brought  it 


230  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

to  him.  And  he  went  forth  unto  the  spring  of  the 
waters,  and  cast  the  salt  in  there,  and  said,  Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  I  have  healed  these  waters ;  there 
shall  not  be  from  thence  any  more  death  or  barren 
land.  So  the  waters  were  healed  unto  this  day, 
according  to  the  saying  of  Elisha  which  he  spake. 
And  he  went  up  from  thence  unto  Beth-el :  and 
as  he  was  going  up  by  the  way,  there  came  forth 
little  children  out  of  the  city,  and  mocked  him,  and 
said  unto  him,  Go  up,  thou  bald  head ;  go  up,  thou 
bald  head.  And  he  turned  back,  and  looked  on 
them,  and  cursed  them  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
And  there  came  forth  two  she  bears  out  of  the 
wood,  and  tare  forty  and  two  children  of  them. 
And  he  went  from  thence  to  mount  Carmel,  and 
from  thence  he  returned  to  Samaria. 


XLIX. 
Blteba. 

ii  Kings  iv.  1-37. 

Now  there  cried  a  certain  woman  of  the  wives 
of  the  sons  of  the  prophets  unto  Elisha,  saying, 
Thy  servant  my  husband  is  dead ;  and  thou  knowest 
that  thy  servant  did  fear  the  Lord :  and  the  creditor 
is  come  to  take  unto  him  my  two  sons  to  be  bond- 
men. And  Elisha  said  unto  her,  What  shall  I  do 
for  thee?  tell  me,  what  hast  thou  in  the  house? 
And  she  said,  Thine  handmaid  hath  not  any  thing 
in  the  house,  save  a  pot  of  oil.  Then  he  said,  Go 
borrow  thee  vessels  abroad  of  all  thy  neighbours, 


ELISHA  231 

even  empty  vessels ;  borrow  not  a  few.  And  when 
thou  art  come  in,  thou  shalt  shut  the  door  upon 
thee  and  upon  thy  sons,  and  shalt  pour  out  into  all 
those  vessels,  and  thou  shalt  set  aside  that  which 
is  full.  So  she  went  from  him,  and  shut  the  door 
upon  her  and  upon  her  sons,  who  brought  the 
vessels  to  her;  and  she  poured  out.  And  it  came 
to  pass,  when  the  vessels  were  full,  that  she  said 
unto  her  son,  Bring  me  yet  a  vessel.  And  he  said 
unto  her,  There  is  not  a  vessel  more.  And  the  oil 
stayed.  Then  she  came  and  told  the  man  of  God. 
And  he  said,  Go,  sell  the  oil,  and  pay  thy  debt,  and 
live  thou  and  thy  children  of  the  rest. 

And  it  fell  on  a  day,  that  Elisha  passed  to 
Shunem,  where  was  a  great  woman ;  and  she  con- 
strained him  to  eat  bread.  And  so  it  was,  that  as 
oft  as  he  passed  by,  he  turned  in  thither  to  eat 
bread.  And  she  said  unto  her  husband,  Behold 
now,  I  perceive  that  this  is  an  holy  man  of  God, 
which  passeth  by  us  continually.  Let  us  make  a 
little  chamber,  I  pray  thee,  on  the  wall ;  and  let  us 
set  for  him  there  a  bed,  and  a  table,  and  a  stool, 
and  a  candlestick :  and  it  shall  be,  when  he  cometh 
to  us,  that  he  shall  turn  in  thither. 

And  it  fell  on  a  day,  that  he  came  thither,  and  he 
turned  into  the  chamber,  and  lay  there.  And  he 
said  to  Gehazi  his  servant,  Call  this  Shunammite. 
And  when  he  had  called  her,  she  stood  before  him. 
And  he  said  unto  him,  Say  now  unto  her,  Behold, 
thou  hast  been  careful  for  us  with  all  this  care; 
what  is  to  be  done  for  thee?  wouldest  thou  be 
spoken  for  to  the  king,  or  to  the  captain  of  the 
host  ?  And  she  answered,  I  dwell  among  mine  own 


232  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

people.  And  he  said,  What  then  is  to  be  done  for 
her?  And  Gehazi  answered,  Verily  she  hath  no 
child,  and  her  husband  is  old.  And  he  said.  Call 
her.  And  when  he  had  called  her,  she  stood  in 
the  door.  And  he  said,  About  this  season,  accord- 
ing to  the  time  of  life,  thou  shalt  embrace  a  son. 
And  she  said,  Nay,  my  lord,  thou  man  of  God,  do 
not  lie  unto  thine  handmaid.  And  the  woman  con- 
ceived, and  bare  a  son  at  that  season  that  Elisha  had 
said  unto  her,  according  to  the  time  of  life. 

And  when  the  child  was  grown,  it  fell  on  a  day, 
that  he  went  out  to  his  father  to  the  reapers.  And 
he  said  unto  his  father,  My  head,  my  head.  And  he 
said  to  a  lad,  Carry  him  to  his  mother.  And  when 
he  had  taken  him,  and  brought  him  to  his  mother, 
he  sat  on  her  knees  till  noon,  and  then  died.  And 
she  went  up,  and  laid  him  on  the  bed  of  the  man 
of  God,  and  shut  the  door  upon  him,  and  went 
out.  And  she  called  unto  her  husband,  and  said, 
Send  me,  I  pray  thee,  one  of  the  young  men,  and 
one  of  the  asses,  that  I  may  run  to  the  man  of  God, 
and  come  again.  And  he  said,  Wherefore  wilt 
thou  go  to  him  to  day  ?  it  is  neither  new  moon,  nor 
sabbath.  And  she  said,  It  shall  be  well.  Then  she 
saddled  an  ass,  and  said  to  her  servant,  Drive,  and 
go  forward;  slack  not  thy  riding  for  me,  except  I 
bid  thee.  So  she  went  and  came  unto  the  man  of 
God  to  mount  Carmel.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when 
the  man  of  God  saw  her  afar  off,  that  he  said  to 
Gehazi  his  servant,  Behold,  yonder  is  that  Shunam- 
mite :  run  now,  I  pray  thee,  to  meet  her,  and  say 
unto  her,  Is  it  well  with  thee?  is  it  well  with 
thy  husband?  is  it  well  with  the  child?  And  she 


ELISHA  233 

answered,  It  is  well.  And  when  she  came  to  the 
man  of  God  to  the  hill,  she  caught  him  by  the  feet : 
but  Gehazi  came  near  to  thrust  her  away.  And  the 
man  of  God  said,  Let  her  alone ;  for  her  soul  is 
vexed  within  her:  and  the  Lord  hath  hid  it  from 
me,  and  hath  not  told  me.  Then  she  said,  Did  I 
desire  a  son  of  my  lord?  did  I  not  say,  Do  not 
deceive  me  ?  Then  he  said  to  Gehazi,  Gird  up  thy 
loins,  and  take  my  staff  in  thine  hand,  and  go  thy 
way :  if  thou  meet  any  man,  salute  him  not ;  and  if 
any  salute  thee,  answer  him  not  again :  and  lay  my 
staff  upon  the  face  of  the  child.  And  the  mother 
of  the  child  said,  As  the  Lord  liveth,  and  as  thy 
soul  liveth,  I  will  not  leave  thee.  And  he  arose, 
and  followed  her. 

And  Gehazi  passed  on  before  them,  and  laid  the 
staff  upon  the  face  of  the  child ;  but  there  was 
neither  voice,  nor  hearing.  Wherefore  he  went 
again  to  meet  him,  and  told  him,  saying,  The  child 
is  not  awaked.  And  when  Elisha  was  come  into 
the  house,  behold,  the  child  was  dead,  and  laid  upon 
his  bed.  He  went  in  therefore,  and  shut  the  door 
upon  them  twain,  and  prayed  unto  the  Lord.  And 
he  went  up,  and  lay  upon  the  child,  and  put  his 
mouth  upon  his  mouth,  and  his  eyes  upon  his  eyes, 
and  his  hands  upon  his  hands :  and  he  stretched  him- 
self upon  the  child ;  and  the  flesh  of  the  child  waxed 
warm.  Then  he  returned,  and  walked  in  the  house 
to  and  fro ;  and  went  up,  and  stretched  himself  upon 
him :  and  the  child  sneezed  seven  times,  and  the 
child  opened  his  eyes.  And  he  called  Gehazi,  and 
said,  Call  this  Shunammite.  So  he  called  her.  And 
when  she  was  come  in  unto  him,  he  said,  Take  up 


234  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

thy  son.  Then  she  went  in,  and  fell  at  his  feet,  and 
bowed  herself  to  the  ground,  and  took  up  her  son, 
and  went  out. 


L. 
Iftaaman,  tbe  Xeper. 

ii  Kings  v. 

Now  Naaman,  captain  of  the  host  of  the  king 
of  Syria,  was  a  great  man  with  his  master,  and 
honourable,  because  by  him  the  Lord  had  given 
deliverance  unto  Syria :  he  was  also  a  mighty  man 
in  valour,  but  he  was  a  leper.  And  the  Syrians  had 
gone  out  by  companies,  and  had  brought  away 
captive  out  of  the  land  of  Israel  a  little  maid;  and 
she  waited  on  Naaman's  wife.  And  she  said  unto 
her  mistress,  Would  God  my  lord  were  with  the 
prophet  that  is  in  Samaria !  for  he  would  recover 
him  of  his  leprosy.  And  one  went  in,  and  told  his 
lord,  saying.  Thus  and  thus  said  the  maid  that  is  of 
the  land  of  Israel.  And  the  king  of  Syria  said,  Go 
to-,  go,  and  I  will  send  a  letter  unto  the  king  of 
Israel.  And  he  departed,  and  took  with  him  ten 
talents  of  silver,  and  six  thousand  pieces  of  gold, 
and  ten  changes  of  raiment.  And  he  brought  the 
letter  to  the  king  of  Israel,  saying,  Now  when  this 
letter  is  come  unto  thee,  behold,  I  have  therewith 
sent  Naaman  my  servant  to  thee,  that  thou  mayest 
recover  him  of  his  leprosy.  And  it  came  to  pass, 
when  the  king  of  Israel  had  read  the  letter,  that  he 
rent  his  clothes,  and  said,  Am  I  God,  to  kill  and  to 
make  alive,  that  this  man  doth  send  unto  me  to 


N  A  AM  AN,  THE  LEPER  235 

recover  a  man  of  his  leprosy?  Wherefore  consider, 
I  pray  you,  and  see  how  he  seeketh  a  quarrel  against 
me. 

And  it  was  so,  when  Elisha  the  man  of  God  had 
heard  that  the  king  of  Israel  had  rent  his  clothes, 
that  he  sent  to  the  king,  saying,  Wherefore  hast 
thou  rent  thy  clothes?  let  him  come  now  to  me,  and 
he  shall  know  that  there  is  a  prophet  in  Israel.  So 
Naaman  came  with  his  horses  and  with  his  chariot, 
and  stood  at  the  door  of  the  house  of  Elisha.  And 
Elisha  sent  a  messenger  unto  him,  saying,  Go  and 
wash  in  Jordan  seven  times,  and  thy  flesh  shall  come 
again  to  thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  clean.  But  Naaman 
was  wroth,  and  went  away,  and  said,  Behold,  I 
thought,  he  will  surely  come  out  to  me,  and  stand, 
and  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  his  God,  and  strike 
his  hand  over  the  place,  and  recover  the  leper. 
Are  not  Abana  and  Pharpar,  rivers  of  Damascus, 
better  than  all  the  waters  of  Israel  ?  may  I  not  wash 
in  them,  and  be  clean?  So  he  turned  and  went 
away  in  a  rage.  And  his  servants  came  near,  and 
spake  unto  him,  and  said,  My  father,  if  the  prophet 
had  bid  thee  do  some  great  thing,  wouldest  thou  not 
have  done  it?  how  much  rather  then,  when  he  saith 
to  thee,  Wash,  and  be  clean  ?  Then  went  he  down, 
and  dipped  himself  seven  times  in  Jordan,  accord- 
ing to  the  saying  of  the  man  of  God :  and  his  flesh 
came  again  like  unto  the  flesh  of  a  little  child,  and 
he  was  clean. 

And  he  returned  to  the  man  of  God,  he  and  all 
his  company,  and  came,  and  stood  before  him :  and 
he  said,  Behold,  now  I  know  that  there  is  no  God 
in  all  the  earth,  but  in  Israel :  now  therefore,  I  pray 


236  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

thee,  take  a  blessing  of  thy  servant.  But  he  said, 
As  the  Lord  liveth,  before  whom  I  stand,  I  will 
receive  none.  And  he  urged  him  to  take  it ;  but 
he  refused.  And  Naaman  said,  Shall  there  not 
then,  I  pray  thee,  be  given  to  thy  servant  two  mules' 
burden  of  earth?  for  thy  servant  will  henceforth 
offer  neither  burnt  offering  nor  sacrifice  unto  other 
gods,  but  unto  the  Lord.  In  this  thing  the  Lord 
pardon  thy  servant,  that  when  my  master  goeth 
into  the  house  of  Rimmon  to  worship  there,  and 
he  leaneth  on  my  hand,  and  I  bow  myself  in  the 
house  of  Rimmon :  when  I  bow  down  myself  in  the 
house  of  Rimmon,  the  Lord  pardon  thy  servant  in 
this  thing.  And  he  said  unto  him,  Go  in  peace. 
So  he  departed  from  him  a  little  way. 

But  Gehazi,  the  servant  of  Elisha  the  man  of  God, 
said,  Behold,  my  master  hath  spared  Naaman  this 
Syrian,  in  not  receiving  at  his  hands  that  which  he 
brought:  but,  as  the  Lord  liveth,  I  will  run  after 
him,  and  take  somewhat  of  him.  So  Gehazi  fol- 
lowed after  Naaman.  And  when  Naaman  saw  him 

•>* 

running  after  him,  he  lighted  down  from  the 
chariot  to  meet  him,  and  said,  Is  all  well  ?  And 
he  said,  All  is  well.  My  master  hath  sent  me, 
saying,  Behold,  even  now  there  be  come  to  me  from 
mount  Ephraim  two  young  men  of  the  sons  of  the 
prophets :  give  them,  I  pray  thee,  a  talent  of  silver, 
and  two  changes  of  garments.  And  Naaman  said, 
Be  content,  take  two  talents.  And  he  urged  him, 
and  bound  two  talents  of  silver  in  two  bags,  with 
two  changes  of  garments,  and  laid  them  upon  two 
of  his  servants ;  and  they  bare  them  before  him. 
And  when  he  came  to  the  tower,  he  took  them 


JEHU  AND  JEZEBEL  237 

from  their  hand,  and  bestowed  them  in  the  house : 
and  he  let  the  men  go,  and  they  departed.  But  he 
went  in,  and  stood  before  his  master.  And  Elisha 
said  unto  him,  Whence  comest  thou,  Gehazi  ?  And 
he  said,  Thy  servant  went  no  whither.  And  he 
said  unto  him,  Went  not  mine  heart  with  thee,  when 
the  man  turned  again  from  his  chariot  to  meet  thee  ? 
Is  it  a  time  to  receive  money,,  and  to  receive  gar- 
ments, and  oliveyards,  and  vineyards,  and  sheep, 
and  oxen,  and  menservants,  and  maidservants? 
The  leprosy  therefore  of  Naaman  shall  cleave  unto 
thee,  and  unto  thy  seed  for  ever.  And  he  went  out 
from  his  presence  a  leper  as  white  as  snow. 


LI. 

Sebu  anfc 

ii  Kings  ix. 

AND  Elisha  the  prophet  called  one  of  the  children 
of  the  prophets,  and  said  unto  him,  Gird  up  thy 
loins,  and  take  this  box  of  oil  in  thine  hand,  and 
go  to  Ramoth-gilead :  and  when  thou  comest  thither, 
look  out  there  Jehu  the  son  of  Jehoshaphat  the  son 
of  Nimshi,  and  go  in,  and  make  him  arise  up  from 
among  his  brethren,  and  carry  him  to  an  inner 
chamber;  then  take  the  box  of  oil,  and  pour  it  on 
his  head,  and  say,  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  have 
anointed  thee  king  over  Israel.  Then  open  the 
door,  and  flee,  and  tarry  not. 

So  the  young  man,  even  the  young  man  the 
prophet,  went  to  Ramoth-gilead.  And  when  he 


238  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

came,  behold,  the  captains  of  the  host  were  sitting; 
and  he  said,  I  have  an  errand  to  thee,  O  captain. 
And  Jehu  said,  Unto  which  of  all  us?  And  he 
said,  To  thee,  O  captain.  And  he  arose,  and  went 
into  the  house;  and  he  poured  the  oil  on  his  head, 
and  said  unto  him,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of 
Israel,  I  have  anointed  thee  king  over  the  people  of 
the  Lord,  even  over  Israel.  And  thou  shalt  smite 
the  house  of  Ahab  thy  master,  that  I  may  avenge 
the  blood  of  my  servants  the  prophets,  and  the 
blood  of  all  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  at  the  hand 
of  Jezebel.  For  the  whole  house  of  Ahab  shall 
perish:  and  I  will  cut  off  from  Ahab  him  that 
pisseth  against  the  wall,  and  him  that  is  shut  up 
and  left  in  Israel :  and  I  will  make  the  house  of 
Ahab  like  the  house  of  Jeroboam  the  son  of  Nebat, 
and  like  the  house  of  Baasha  the  son  of  Ahijah :  and 
the  dogs  shall  eat  Jezebel  in  the  portion  of  Jezreel, 
and  there  shall  be  none  to  bury  her.  And  he  opened 
the  door  and  fled. 

Then  Jehu  came  forth  to  the  servants  of  his  lord : 
and  one  said  unto  him,  Is  all  well  ?  wherefore  came 
this  mad  fellow  to  thee?  And  he  said  unto  them, 
Ye  know  the  man,  and  his  communication.  And 
they  said.  It  is  false;  tell  us  now.  And  he  said, 
Thus  and  thus  spake  he  to  me,  saying,  Thus  saith 
the  Lord,  I  have  anointed  thee  king  over  Israel. 
Then  they  hasted,  and  took  every  man  his  garment, 
and  put  it  under  him  on  the  top  of  the  stairs,  and 
blew  with  trumpets,  saying,  Jehu  is  king.  So  Jehu 
the  son  of  Jehoshaphat  the  son  of  Nimshi  conspired 
against  Joram.  (Now  Joram  had  kept  Ramoth- 
gilead,  he  and  all  Israel,  because  of  Hazael  king  of 


JEHU  AND  JEZEBEL 


239 


Syria.  But  king  Jorarn  was  returned  to  be  healed 
in  Jezreel  of  the  wounds  which  the  Syrians  had 
given  him,  when  he  fought  with  Hazael  king  of 
Syria.)  And  Jehu  said,  If  it  be  your  minds,  then 
let  none  go  forth  nor  escape  out  of  the  city  to  go  to 
tell  it  in  Jezreel. 

So  Jehu  rode  in  a  chariot,  and  went  to  Jezreel ; 
for  Joram  lay  there.  And  Ahaziah  king  of  Judah 
was  come  down  to  see  Joram.  And  there  stood  a 
watchman  on  the  tower  in  Jezreel,  and  he  spied  the 
company  of  Jehu  as  he  came,  and  said,  I  see  a  com- 
pany. And  Joram  said,  Take  an  horseman,  and  send 
to  meet  them,  and  let  him  say,  Is  it  peace?  So 
there  went  one  on  horseback  to  meet  him,  and  said, 
Thus  saith  the  king,  Is  it  peace?  And  Jehu  said, 
What  hast  thou  to  do  with  peace?  turn  thee  behind 
me.  And  the  watchman  told,  saying,  The  messen- 
ger came  to  them,  but  he  cometh  not  again.  Then 
he  sent  out  a  second  on  horseback,  which  came  to 
them,  and  said,  Thus  saith  the  king,  Is  it  peace? 
And  Jehu  answered,  What  hast  thou  to  do  with 
peace  ?  turn  thee  behind  me.  And  the  watchman 
told,  saying,  He  came  even  unto  them,  and  cometh 
not  again :  and  the  driving  is  like  the  driving  of 
Jehu  the  son  of  Nimshi ;  for  he  driveth  furiously. 
And  Joram  said,  Make  ready.  And  his  chariot  was 
made  ready.  And  Joram  king  of  Israel  and 
Ahaziah  king  of  Judah  went  out,  each  in  his  chariot, 
and  they  went  out  against  Jehu,  and  met  him  in 
the  portion  of  Naboth  the  Jezreelite. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Joram  saw  Jehu,  that 
he  said,  Is  it  peace,  Jehu?  And  he  answered,  What 
peace,  so  long  as  the  whoredoms  of  thy  mother 


240  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Jezebel  and  her  witchcrafts  are  so  many?  And 
Joram  turned  his  hands,  and  fled,  and  said  to 
Ahaziah,  There  is  treachery,  O  Ahaziah.  And 
Jehu  drew  a  bow  with  his  full  strength,  and  smote 
Jehoram  between  his  arms,  and  the  arrow  went  out 
at  his  heart,  and  he  sunk  down  in  his  chariot.  Then 
said  Jehu  to  Bidkar  his  captain,  Take  up,  and  cast 
him  in  the  portion  of  the  field  of  Naboth  the  Jez- 
reelite :  for  remember  how  that,  when  I  and  thou 
rode  together  after  Ahab  his  father,  the  Lord  laid 
this  burden  upon  him ;  surely  I  have  seen  yesterday 
the  blood  of  Naboth,  and  the  blood  of  his  sons, 
saith  the  Lord ;  and  I  will  requite  thee  in  this  plat, 
saith  the  Lord.  Now  therefore  take  and  cast  him 
into  the  plat  of  ground,  according  to  the  word  of 
the  Lord. 

But  when  Ahaziah  the  king  of  Judah  saw  this, 
he  fled  by  the  way  of  the  garden  house.  And  Jehu 
followed  after  him,  and  said.  Smite  him  also  in  the 
chariot.  And  they  did  so  at  the  going  up  to  Gur, 
which  is  by  Ibleam.  And  he  fled  to  Megiddo,  and 
died  there.  And  his  servants  carried  him  in  a 
chariot  to  Jerusalem,  and  buried  him  in  his  sepul- 
chre with  his  fathers  in  the  city  of  David.  And  in 
the  eleventh  year  of  Joram  the  son  of  Ahab  began 
Ahaziah  to  reign  over  Judah. 

And  when  Jehu  was  come  to  Jezreel,  Jezebel 
heard  of  it ;  and  she  painted  her  face,  and  tired  her 
head,  and  looked  out  at  a  window.  And  as  Jehu 
entered  in  at  the  gate,  she  said,  Had  Zimri  peace, 
who  slew  his  master?  And  he  lifted  up  his  face  to 
the  window,  and  said,  Who  is  on  my  side?  who? 
And  there  looked  out  to  him  two  or  three  eunuchs. 


THE  DEATH  OF  ELISHA  241 

And  he  said,  Throw  her  down.  So  they  threw  her 
down :  and  some  of  her  blood  was  sprinkled  on  the 
wall,  and  on  the  horses :  and  he  trode  her  unde^- 
foot.  And  when  he  was  come  in,  he  did  eat  a 
drink,  and  said,  Go  see  now  this  cursed  woman, 
and  bury  her:  for  she  is  a  king's  daughter.  And 
they  went  to  bury  her :  but  they  found  no  more  of 
her  than  the  skull,  and  the  feet,  and  the  palms  of 
her  hands.  Wherefore  they  came  again,  and  told 
him.  And  he  said,  This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
which  he  spake  by  his  servant  Elijah  the  Tishbite, 
saying,  In  the  portion  of  Jezreel  shall  dogs  eat  the 
flesh  of  Jezebel :  and  the  carcase  of  Jezebel  shall 
be  as  dung  upon  the  face  of  the  field  in  the  portion 
of  Jezreel ;  so  that  they  shall  not  say,  This  is  Jezebel. 


LIL 

2>eatb  of 

ii  Kings  xiii.  14-20. 

Now  Elisha  was  fallen  sick  of  his  sickness 
whereof  he  died.  And  Joash  the  king  of  Israel 
came  down  unto  him,  and  wept  over  his  face,  and 
said,  O  my  father,  my  father,  the  chariot  of  Israel, 
and  the  horsemen  thereof.  And  Elisha  said  unto 
him,  Take  bow  and  arrows.  And  he  took  unto 
him  bow  and  arrows.  And  he  said  to  the  king  of 
Israel,  Put  thine  hand  upon  the  bow.  And  he  put 
his  hand  upon  it :  and  Elisha  put  his  hands  upon  the 
king's  hands.  And  he  said,  Open  the  window  east- 
ward. And  he  opened  it.  Then  Elisha  said,  Shoot. 


242  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  he  shot.  And  he  said,  The  arrow  of  the  Lord's 
deliverance,  and  the  arrow  of  deliverance  from 
Syria :  for  thou  shalt  smite  the  Syrians  in  Aphek, 
till  thou  have  consumed  them.  And  he  said,  Take 
the  arrows.  And  he  took  them.  And  he  said  unto 
the  king  of  Israel,  Smite  upon  the  ground.  And 
he  smote  thrice,  and  stayed.  And  the  man  of  God 
was  wroth  with  him,  and  said,  Thou  shouldest  have 
smitten  five  or  six  times ;  then  hadst  thou  smitten 
Syria  till  thou  hadst  consumed  it :  whereas  now  thou 
shalt  smite  Syria  but  thrice.  And  Elisha  died,  and 
they  buried  him. 

LIII. 
Ibesefcfab. 

ii  Kings  xviii.  1-17;  xix.  1-19;  xix.  35 — xx. 

Now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  third  year  of  Hoshea 
son  of  Elah  king  of  Israel,  that  Hezekiah  the  son 
of  Ahaz  king  of  Judah  began  to  reign.  Twenty 
and  five  years  old  was  he  when  he  began  to  reign ; 
and  he  reigned  twenty  and  nine  years  in  Jerusalem. 
His  mother's  name  also  was  Abi,  the  daughter  of 
Zachariah.  And  he  did  that  which  was  right  in 
the  sight  of  the  Lord,  according  to  all  that  David 
his  father  did.  He  removed  the  high  places,  and 
brake  the  images,  and  cut  down  the  groves,  and 
brake  in  pieces  the  brasen  serpent  that  Moses  had 
made :  for  unto  those  days  the  children  of  Israel 
did  burn  incense  to  it:  and  he  called  it  Nehushtan 
[i.e.  "  A  piece  of  brass  "].  He  trusted  in  the  Lord 
God  of  Israel ;  so  that  after  him  was  none  like  him 


HEZEKIAH  243 

among  all  the  kings  of  Judah,  nor  any  that  were 
before  him.  For  he  clave  to  the  Lord,  and  departed 
not  from  following  him,  but  kept  his  commandments, 
which  the  Lord  commanded  Moses.  And  the  Lord 
was  with  him;  and  he  prospered  whithersoever  he 
went  forth :  and  he  rebelled  against  the  king  of  As- 
syria, and  served  him  not.  He  smote  the  Philis- 
tines, even  unto  Gaza,  and  the  borders  thereof,  from 
the  tower  of  the  watchmen  to  the  fenced  city. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  fourth  year  of  king 
Hezekiah,  which  was  the  seventh  year  of  Hoshea  son 
of  Elah  king  of  Israel,  that  Shalmaneser  king  of 
Assyria  came  up  against  Samaria,  and  besieged  it. 
And  at  the  end  of  three  years  they  took  it :  even  in 
the  sixth  year  of  Hezekiah,  that  is  the  ninth  year  of 
Hoshea  king  of  Israel,  Samaria  was  taken.  And  the 
king  of  Assyria  did  carry  away  Israel  unto  Assyria, 
and  put  them  in  Halah  and  in  Habor  by  the  river 
of  Gozan,  and  in  the  cities  of  the  Medes :  because 
they  obeyed  not  the  voice  of  the  Lord  their  God, 
but  transgressed  his  covenant,  and  all  that  Moses 
the  servant  of  the  Lord  commanded,  and  would  not 
hear  them,  nor  do  them. 

Now  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  king  Hezekiah  did 
Sennacherib  king  of  Assyria  come  up  against  all 
the  fenced  cities  of  Judah,  and  took  them.  And 
Hezekiah  king  of  Judah  sent  to  the  king  of  Assyria 
to  Lachish,  saying,  I  have  offended ;  return  from 
me :  that  which  thou  puttest  on  me  will  I  bear. 
And  the  king  of  Assyria  appointed  unto  Hezekiah 
king  of  Judah  three  hundred  talents  of  silver  and 
thirty  talents  of  gold.  And  Hezekiah  gave  him  all 
the  silver  that  was  found  in  the  house  of  the  Lord, 


244  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  in  the  treasures  of  the  king's  house.  At  that 
time  did  Hezekiah  cut  off  the  gold  from  the  doors 
of  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the  pillar? 
which  Hezekiah  king  of  Judah  had  overlaid,  and 
gave  it  to  the  king  of  Assyria. 

And  the  king  of  Assyria  sent  Tartan  and  Rab- 
saris  and  Rab-shakeh  from  Lachish  to  king  Heze- 
kiah with  a  great  host  against  Jerusalem.  And  they 
went  up  and  came  to  Jerusalem. 

.  .  .  .  • 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  king  Hezekiah  heard 
it  [that  Rab-shakeh  had  incited  the  people  against 
him],  that  he  rent  his  clothes,  and  covered  himself 
with  sackcloth,  and  went  into  the  house  of  the  Lord. 
And  he  sent  Eliakim,  which  was  over  the  household, 
and  Shebna  the  scribe,  and  the  elders  of  the  priests, 
covered  with  sackcloth,  to  Isaiah  the  prophet  the  son 
of  Amoz.  And  they  said  unto  him,  Thus  saith 
Hezekiah,  This  day  is  a  day  of  trouble,  and  of 
rebuke,  and  blasphemy :  for  the  children  are  come 
to  the  birth,  and  there  is  not  strength  to  bring  forth. 
It  may  be  the  Lord  thy  God  will  hear  all  the  words 
of  Rab-shakeh,  whom  the  king  of  Assyria  his 
master  hath  sent  to  reproach  the  living  God;  and 
will  reprove  the  words  which  the  Lord  thy  God  hath 
heard :  wherefore  lift  up  thy  prayer  for  the  remnant 
that  are  left.  So  the  servants  of  king  Hezekiah 
came  to  Isaiah.  And  Isaiah  said  unto  them,  Thus 
shall  ye  say  to  your  master,  Thus  saith  the  Lord, 
Be  not  afraid  of  the  words  which  them  hast  heard, 
with  which  the  servants  of  the  king  of  Assyria  have 
blasphemed  me.  Behold,  I  will  send  a  blast  upon 
him,  and  he  shall  hear  a  rumour,  and  shall  return 


HEZEKIAH  245 

to  his  own  land ;  and  I  will  cause  him  to  fall  by  the 
sword  in  his  own  land. 

So  Rab-shakeh  returned,  and  found  the  king  of 
Assyria  warring  against  Libnah :  for  he  had  heard 
that  he  was  departed  from  Lachish.  And  when  he 
heard  say  of  Tirhakah  king  of  Ethiopia,  Behold, 
he  is  come  out  to  fight  against  thee :  he  sent  messen- 
gers again  unto  Hezekiah,  saying,  Thus  shall  ye 
speak  to  Hezekiah  king  of  Judah,  saying,  Let  not 
thy  God  in  whom  thou  trustest  deceive  thee,  saying, 
Jerusalem  shall  not  be  delivered  into  the  hand  of  the 
king  of  Assyria.  Behold,  thou  hast  heard  what  the 
kings  of  Assyria  have  done  to  all  lands,  by  destroy- 
ing them  utterly:  and  shalt  thou  be  delivered? 
Have  the  gods  of  the  nations  delivered  them  which 
my  fathers  have  destroyed;  as  Gozan,  and  Haran, 
and  Rezeph,  and  the  children  of  Eden  which  were 
in  Thelasar?  Where  is  the  king  of  Hamath,  and 
the  king  of  Arpad,  and  the  king  of  the  city  of 
Sepharvaim,  of  Hena,  and  Ivah? 

And  Hezekiah  received  the  letter  of  the  hand  of 
the  messengers,  and  read  it:  and  Hezekiah  went 
up  into  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  spread  it  before 
the  Lord.  And  Hezekiah  prayed  before  the  Lord, 
and  said,  O  Lord  God  of  Israel,  which  dwellest 
between  the  cherubims,  thou  art  the  God,  even  thou 
alone,  of  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth;  thou  hast 
made  heaven  and  earth.  Lord,  bow  down  thine 
ear,  and  hear :  open,  Lord,  thine  eyes,  and  see :  and 
hear  the  words  of  Sennacherib,  which  hath  sent  him 
to  reproach  the  living  God.  Of  a  truth,  Lord,  the 
kings  of  Assyria  have  destroyed  the  nations  and 
their  lands,  and  have  cast  their  gods  into  the  fire: 


246  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

for  they  were  no  gods,  but  the  work  of  men's  hands, 
wood  and  stone :  therefore  they  have  destroyed 
them.  Now  therefore,  O  Lord  our  God,  I  beseech 
thee,  save  thou  us  out  of  his  hand,  that  all  the  king- 
doms of  the  earth  may  know  that  thou  art  the  Lord 
God,  even  thou  only. 

•  •  *  •  • 

And  it  came  to  pass  that  night,  that  the  angel 
of  the  Lord  went  out,  and  smote  in  the  camp  of  the 
Assyrians  an  hundred  fourscore  and  five  thousand : 
and  when  they  arose  early  in  the  morning,  behold, 
they  were  all  dead  corpses.  So  Sennacherib  king 
of  Assyria  departed,  and  went  and  returned,  and 
dwelt  at  Nineveh.  And  it  came  to  pass,  as  he  was 
worshipping  in  the  house  of  Nisroch  his  god,  that 
Adrammelech  and  Sharezer  his  sons  smote  him  with 
the  sword :  and  they  escaped  into  the  land  of 
Armenia.  And  Esarhaddon  his  son  reigned  in  his 
stead. 

In  those  days  was  Hezekiah  sick  unto  death. 
And  the  prophet  Isaiah  the  son  of  Amoz  came  to 
him,  and  said  unto  him,  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Set 
thine  house  in  order;  for  thou  shalt  die,  and  not 
live.  Then  he  turned  his  face  to  the  wall,  and 
prayed  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  I  beseech  thee,  O 
Lord,  remember  now  how  I  have  walked  before  thee 
in  truth  and  with  a  perfect  heart,  and  have  done  that 
which  is  good  in  thy  sight.  And  Hezekiah  wept 
sore. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  afore  Isaiah  was  gone  out 
into  the  middle  court,  that  the  word  of  the  Lord 
came  to  him,  saying,  Turn  again,  and  tell  Hezekiah 
the  captain  of  my  people,  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  the 


HEZEKIAH  247 

God  of  David  thy  father,  I  have  heard  thy  prayer, 
I  have  seen  thy  tears :  behold,  I  will  heal  thee :  on 
the  third  day  thou  shalt  go  up  unto  the  house  of 
the  Lord.  And  I  will  add  unto  thy  days  fifteen 
years ;  and  I  will  deliver  thee  and  this  city  out  of 
the  hand  of  the  king  of  Assyria;  and  I  will  defend 
this  city  for  mine  own  sake,  and  for  my  servant 
David's  sake.  And  Isaiah  said,  Take  a  lump  of 
figs.  And  they  took  and  laid  it  on  the  boil,  and  he 
recovered.  And  Hezekiah  said  unto  Isaiah,  What 
shall  be  the  sign  that  the  Lord  will  heal  me,  and 
that  I  shall  go  up  into  the  house  of  the  Lord  the 
third  day?  And  Isaiah  said,  This  sign  shalt  thou 
have  of  the  Lord,  that  the  Lord  will  do  the  thing 
that  he  hath  spoken :  shall  the  shadow  go  forward 
ten  degrees,  or  go  back  ten  degrees  ?  And  Heze- 
kiah answered,  It  is  a  light  thing  for  the  shadow 
to  go  down  ten  degrees :  nay,  but  let  the  shadow 
return  backward  ten  degrees.  And  Isaiah  the 
prophet  cried  unto  the  Lord :  and  he  brought  the 
shadow  ten  degrees  backward,  by  which  it  had  gone 
down  in  the  dial  of  Ahaz. 

At  that  time  Berodach-baladan,  the  son  of  Bala- 
dan,  king  of  Babylon,  sent  letters  and  a  present 
unto  Hezekiah :  for  he  had  heard  that  Hezekiah  had 
been  sick.  And  Hezekiah  hearkened  unto  them, 
and  shewed  them  all  the  house  of  his  precious 
things,  the  silver,  and  the  gold,  and  the  spices,  and 
the  precious  ointment,  and  all  the  house  of  his 
armour,  and  all  that  was  found  in  his  treasures: 
there  was  nothing  in  his  house,  nor  in  all  his 
dominion,  that  Hezekiah  shewed  them  not. 

Then  came  Isaiah  the  prophet  unto  king  Heze- 


248  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

kiah,  and  said  unto  him,  What  said  these  men?  and 
from  whence  came  they  unto  thee?  And  Hezekiah 
said,  They  are  come  from  a  far  country,  even  from 
Babylon.  And  he  said,  What  have  they  seen  in 
thine  house?  And  Hezekiah  answered,  All  the 
things  that  are  in  mine  house  have  they  seen :  there 
is  nothing  among  my  treasures  that  I  have  not 
shewed  them.  And  Isaiah  said  unto  Hezekiah, 
Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord.  Behold,  the  days 
come,  that  all  that  is  in  thine  house,  and  that  which 
thy  fathers  have  laid  up  in  store  unto  this  day,  shall 
be  carried  unto  Babylon :  nothing  shall  be  left,  saith 
the  Lord.  And  of  thy  sons  that  shall  issue  from 
thee,  which  thou  shalt  beget,  shall  they  take  away; 
and  they  shall  be  eunuchs  in  the  palace  of  the  king 
of  Babylon.  Then  said  Hezekiah  unto  Isaiah,  Good 
is  the  word  of  the  Lord  which  thou  hast  spoken. 
And  he  said,  Is  it  not  good,  if  peace  and  truth  be  in 
my  days? 

And  the  rest  of  the  acts  of  Hezekiah,  and  all  his 
might,  and  how  he  made  a  pool,  and  a  conduit,  and 
brought  water  into  the  city,  are  they  not  written 
in  the  book  of  chronicles  of  the  kings  of  Judah? 
And  Hezekiah  slept  with  his  fathers:  and  Ma- 
nasseh  his  son  reigned  in  his  stead. 

LIV. 

5o0fab'0  TRenewal  of  tbe  Covenant. 

n  Kings  xxii. — xxiii.  5. 

JOSIAH  was  eight  years  old  when  he  began  to 
reign,  and  he  reigned  thirty  and  one  years  in  Jeru- 


JOSIAH'S  RENEWAL  OF  THE  COVENANT  249 

salem.  And  his  mother's  name  was  Jedidah,  the 
daughter  of  Adaiah  of  Boscath.  And  he  did  that 
which  was  right  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and 
walked  in  all  the  way  of  David  his  father,  and 
turned  not  aside  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  eighteenth  year  of 
king  Josiah,  that  the  king  sent  Shaphan  the  son 
of  Azaliah,  the  son  of  Meshullam,  the  scribe,  to  the 
house  of  the  Lord,  saying,  Go  up  to  Hilkiah  the 
high  priest,  that  he  may  sum  the  silver  which  is 
brought  into  the  house  of  the  Lord,  which  the 
keepers  of  the  door  have  gathered  of  the  people : 
and  let  them  deliver  it  into  the  hand  of  the  doers 
of  the  work,  that  have  the  oversight  of  the  house 
of  the  Lord :  and  let  them  give  it  to  the  doers  of 
the  work  which  is  in  the  house  of  the  Lord,  to 
repair  the  breaches  of  the  house,  unto  carpenters, 
and  builders,  and  masons,  and  to  buy  timber  and 
hewn  stone  to  repair  the  house.  Howbeit  there 
was  no  reckoning  made  with  them  of  the  money 
that  was  delivered  into  their  hand,  because  they 
dealt  faithfully. 

And  Hilkiah  the  high  priest  said  unto  Shaphan 
the  scribe,  I  have  found  the  book  of  the  law  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord.  And  Hilkiah  gave  the  book  to 
Shaphan,  and  he  read  it.  And  Shaphan  the  scribe 
came  to  the  king,  and  brought  the  king  word  again, 
and  said,  Thy  servants  have  gathered  the  money 
that  was  found  in  the  house,  and  have  delivered  it 
into  the  hand  of  them  that  do  the  work,  that  have 
the  oversight  of  the  house  of  the  Lord.  And  Sha- 
phan the  scribe  shewed  the  king,  saying,  Hilkiah  the 
priest  hath  delivered  me  a  book.  And  Shaphan 


250  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

read  it  before  the  king.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when 
the  king  had  heard  the  words  of  the  book  of  the 
law,  that  he  rent  his  clothes.  And  the  king  com- 
manded Hilkiah  the  priest,  and  Ahikam  the  son  of 
Shaphan,  and  Achbor  the  son  of  Michaiah,  and 
Shaphan  the  scribe,  and  Asahiah  a  servant  of  the 
king's,  saying,  Go  ye,  enquire  of  the  Lord  for  me, 
and  for  the  people,  and  for  all  Judah,  concerning 
the  words  of  this  book  that  is  found :  for  great  is 
the  wrath  of  the  Lord  that  is  kindled  against  us, 
because  our  fathers  have  not  hearkened  unto  the 
words  of  this  book,  to  do  according  unto  all  that 
which  is  written  concerning  us. 

So  Hilkiah  the  priest,  and  Ahikam,  and  Achbor, 
and  Shaphan,  and  Asahiah,  went  unto  Huldah  the 
prophetess,  the  wife  of  Shallum  the  son  of  Tikvah, 
the  son  of  Harhas,  keeper  of  the  wardrobe;  (now 
she  dwelt  in  Jerusalem  in  the  college;)  and  they 
communed  with  her.  And  she  said  unto  them,  Thus 
saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  Tell  the  man  that  sent 
you  to  me,  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Behold,  I  will  bring 
evil  upon  this  place,  and  upon  the  inhabitants 
thereof,  even  all  the  words  of  the  book  which  the 
king  of  Judah  hath  read :  because  they  have  for- 
saken me,  and  have  burned  incense  unto  other  gods, 
that  they  might  provoke  me  to  anger  with  all  the 
works  of  their  hands ;  therefore  my  wrath  shall 
be  kindled  against  this  place,  and  shall  not  be 
quenched.  But  to  the  king  of  Judah  which  sent 
you  to  enquire  of  the  Lord,  thus  shall  ye  say  to  him, 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  As  touching  the 
words  which  thou  hast  heard ;  because  thine  heart 
was  tender,  and  thou  hast  humbled  thyself  before 


JOSIAH'S  RENEWAL  OF  THE  COVENANT  251 

the  Lord,  when  thou  heardest  what  I  spake  against 
this  place,  and  against  the  inhabitants  thereof,  that 
they  should  become  a  desolation  and  a  curse,  and 
hast  rent  thy  clothes,  and  wept  before  me ;  I  also 
have  heard  thee,  saith  the  Lord.  Behold  therefore, 
I  will  gather  thee  unto  thy  fathers,  and  thou  shalt 
be  gathered  into  thy  grave  in  peace ;  and  thine  eyes 
shall  not  see  all  the  evil  which  I  will  bring  upon 
this  place.  And  they  brought  the  king  word  again. 
And  the  king  sent,  and  they  gathered  unto  him 
all  the  elders  of  Judah  and  of  Jerusalem.  And  the 
king  went  up  into  the  house  of  the  Lord  and  all  the 
men  of  Judah  and  all  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem 
with  him,  and  the  priests,  and  the  prophets,  and  all 
the  people,  both  small  and  great:  and  he  read  in 
their  ears  all  the  words  of  the  book  of  the  covenant 
which  was  found  in  the  house  of  the  Lord.  And 
the  king  stood  by  a  pillar,  and  made  a  covenant 
before  the  Lord,  to  walk  after  the  Lord,  and  to  keep 
his  commandments  and  his  testimonies  and  his 
statutes  with  all  their  heart  and  all  their  soul,  to 
perform  the  words  of  this  covenant  that  were  writ- 
ten in  this  book.  And  all  the  people  stood  to  the 
covenant.  And  the  king  commanded  Hilkiah  the 
high  priest,  and  the  priests  of  the  second  order,  and 
the  keepers  of  the  door,  to  bring  forth  out  of  the 
temple  of  the  Lord  all  the  vessels  that  were  made 
for  Baal,  and  for  the  grove,  and  for  all  the  host  of 
heaven :  and  he  burned  them  without  Jerusalem  in 
the  fields  of  Kidron,  and  carried  the  ashes  of  them 
unto  Beth-el.  And  he  put  down  the  idolatrous 
priests,  whom  the  kings  of  Judah  had  ordained  to 
burn  incense  in  the  high  places  in  the  cities  of 


252  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Judah,  and  in  the  places  round  about  Jerusalem; 
them  also  that  burned  incense  unto  Baal,  to  the  sun, 
and  to  the  moon,  and  to  the  planets,  and  to  all  the 
host  of  heaven. 


LV. 

Capture  of  Jerusalem. 

n  Kings  xxiv.  8  —  xxv.  13. 

JEHOIACHIN  was  eighteen  years  old  when  he 
began  to  reign,  and  he  reigned  in  Jerusalem  three 
months.  And  his  mother's  name  was  Nehushta,  the 
daughter  of  Elnathan  of  Jerusalem.  And  he  did 
that  which  was  evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  accord- 
ing to  all  that  his  father  had  done.  At  that  time  the 
servants  of  Nebuchadnezzar  king  of  Babylon  came 
up  against  Jerusalem,  and  the  city  was  besieged. 
And  Nebuchadnezzar  king  of  Babylon  came  against 
the  city,  and  his  servants  did  besiege  it.  And 
Jehoiachin  the  king  of  Judah  went  out  to  the  king 
of  Babylon,  he,  and  his  mother,  and  his  servants, 
and  his  princes,  and  his  officers:  and  the  king  of 
Babylon  took  him  in  the  eighth  year  of  his  reign. 
And  he  carried  out  thence  all  the  treasures  of  the 
house  of  the  Lord,  and  the  treasures  of  the  king's 
house,  and  cut  in  pieces  all  the  vessels  of  gold  which 
Solomon  king  of  Israel  had  made  in  the  temple  of 
the  Lord,  as  the  Lord  had  said.  And  he  carried 
away  all  Jerusalem,  and  all  the  princes,  and  all  the 
mighty  men  of  valour,  even  ten  thousand  captives, 
and  all  the  craftsmen  and  smiths  :  none  remained, 
the  poorest  sort  of  the  people  of  the  land. 


THE  CAPTURE  OF  JERUSALEM  253 

And  he  carried  away  Jehoiachin  to  Babylon,  and  the 
king's  mother,  and  the  king's  wives,  and  his  officers, 
and  the  mighty  of  the  land,  those  carried  he  into 
captivity  from  Jerusalem  to  Babylon.  And  all  the 
men  of  might,  even  seven  thousand,  and  craftsmen 
and  smiths  a  thousand,  all  that  were  strong  and  apt 
for  war,  even  them  the  king  of  Babylon  brought 
captive  to  Babylon. 

And  the  king  of  Babylon  made  Mattaniah  his 
father's  brother  king  in  his  stead,  and  changed  his 
name  to  Zedekiah.  Zedekiah  was  twenty  and  one 
years  old  when  he  began  to  reign,  and  he  reigned 
eleven  years  in  Jerusalem.  And  his  mother's  name 
was  Hamutal,  the  daughter  of  Jeremiah  of  Libnah. 
And  he  did  that  which  was  evil  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord,  according  to  all  that  Jehoiakim  had  done. 
For  through  the  anger  of  the  Lord  it  came  to  pass 
in  Jerusalem  and  Judah,  until  he  had  cast  them  out 
from  his  presence,  that  Zedekiah  rebelled  against 
the  king  of  Babylon. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  ninth  year  of  his  reign, 
in  the  tenth  month,  in  the  tenth  day  of  the  month, 
that  Nebuchadnezzar  king  of  Babylon  came,  he,  and 
all  his  host,  against  Jerusalem,  and  pitched  against 
it ;  and  they  built  forts  against  it  round  about.  And 
the  city  was  besieged  unto  the  eleventh  year  of  king 
Zedekiah.  And  on  the  ninth  clay  of  the  fourth 
month  the  famine  prevailed  in  the  city,  and  there 
was  no  bread  for  the  people  of  the  land.  And  the 
city  was  broken  up,  and  all  the  men  of  war  fled  by 
night  by  the  way  of  the  gate  between  two  walls, 
which  is  by  the  king's  garden:  (now  the  Chaldees 
were  against  the  city  round  about:)  and  the  king 


254  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

went  the  way  toward  the  plain.  And  the  army  of 
the  Chaldees  pursued  after  the  king,  and  overtook 
him  in  the  plains  of  Jericho :  and  all  his  army  were 
scattered  from  him.  So  they  took  the  king,  and 
brought  him  up  to  the  king  of  Babylon  to  Riblah ; 
and  they  gave  judgment  upon  him.  And  they  slew 
the  sons  of  Zedekiah  before  his  eyes,  and  put  out 
the  eyes  of  Zedekiah,  and  bound  him  with  fetters  of 
brass,  and  carried  him  to  Babylon. 

And  in  the  fifth  month,  on  the  seventh  day  of  the 
month,  which  is  the  nineteenth  year  of  king 
Nebuchadnezzar  king  of  Babylon,  came  Nebuzar- 
adan,  captain  of  the  guard,  a  servant  of  the  king  of 
Babylon,  unto  Jerusalem :  and  he  burnt  the  house 
of  the  Lord,  and  the  king's  house,  and  all  the  houses 
of  Jerusalem,  and  every  great  man's  house  burnt 
he  with  fire.  And  all  the  army  of  the  Chaldees, 
that  were  with  the  captain  of  the  guard,  brake  down 
the  walls  of  Jerusalem  round  about.  Now  the  rest 
of  the  people  that  were  left  in  the  city,  and  the 
fugitives  that  fell  away  to  the  king  of  Babylon, 
with  the  remnant  of  the  multitude,  did  Nebuzar- 
adan  the  captain  of  the  guard  carry  away.  But 
the  captain  of  the  guard  left  of  the  poor  of  the 
land  to  be  vinedressers  and  husbandmen.  And  the 
pillars  of  brass  that  were  in  the  house  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  bases,  and  the  brasen  sea  that  was  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord,  did  the  Chaldees  break  in  pieces, 
and  carried  the  brass  of  them  to  Babylon. 


ESTHER  255 


LVI. 


Esther. 

Now  it  came  to  pass  in  the  days  of  Ahasuerus, 
(this  is  Ahasuerus  which  reigned,  from  India  even 
unto  Ethiopia,  over  an  hundred  and  seven  and 
twenty  provinces  :)  that  in  those  days,  when  the  king 
Ahasuerus  sat  on  the  throne  of  his  kingdom,  which 
was  in  Shushan  the  palace,  in  the  third  year  of  his 
reign,  he  made  a  feast  unto  all  his  princes  and  his 
servants  ;  the  power  of  Persia  and  Media,  the  nobles 
and  princes  of  the  provinces,  being  before  him  : 
when  he  shewed  the  riches  of  his  glorious  kingdom 
and  the  honour  of  his  excellent  majesty  many  days, 
even  an  hundred  and  fourscore  days.  And  when 
these  days  were  expired,  the  king  made  a  feast  unto 
all  the  people  that  were  present  in  Shushan  the 
palace,  both  unto  great  and  small,  seven  days,  in 
the  court  of  the  garden  of  the  king's  palace  ;  where 
were  white,  green,  and  blue,  hangings,  fastened 
with  cords  of  fine  linen  and  purple  to  silver  rings 
and  pillars  of  marble  :  the  beds  were  of  gold  and 
silver,  upon  a  pavement  of  red,  and  blue,  and  white, 
and  black,  marble.  And  they  gave  them  drink  in 
vessels  of  gold,  (the  vessels  being  diverse  one  from 
another,)  and  royal  wine  in  abundance,  according 
to  the  state  of  the  king.  And  the  drinking  was 
according  to  the  law  ;  none  did  compel  :  for  so  the 
king  had  appointed  to  all  the  officers  of  his  house, 
that  they  should  do  according  to  every  man's 


256  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

pleasure.  Also  Vashti  the  queen  made  a  feast  for 
the  women  in  the  royal  house  which  belonged  to 
king  Ahasuerus. 

On  the  seventh  day,  when  the  heart  of  the  king 
was  merry  with  wine,  he  commanded  Mehuman, 
Biztha,  Harbona,  Bigtha,  and  Abagtha,  Zethar,  and 
Carcas,  the  seven  chamberlains  that  served  in  the 
presence  of  Ahasuerus  the  king,  to  bring  Vashti 
the  queen  before  the  king  with  the  crown  royal,  to 
shew  the  people  and  the  princes  her  beauty :  for  she 
was  fair  to  look  on.  But  the  queen  Vashti  refused 
to  come  at  the  king's  commandment  by  his  cham- 
berlains: therefore  was  the  king  very  wroth,  and 
his  anger  burned  in  him. 

Then  the  king  said  to  the  wise  men,  which  knew 
the  times,  (for  so  was  the  king's  manner  toward 
all  that  knew  law  and  judgment:  and  the  next  unto 
him  was  Carshena,  Shethar,  Admatha,  Tarshish, 
Meres,  Marsena,  and  Memucan,  the  seven  princes 
of  Persia  and  Media,  which  saw  the  king's  face, 
and  which  sat  the  first  in  the  kingdom ; )  What  shall 
we  do  unto  the  queen  Vashti  according  to  law, 
because  she  hath  not  performed  the  commandment 
of  the  king  Ahasuerus  by  the  chamberlains?  And 
Memucan  answered  before  the  king  and  the  princes, 
Vashti  the  queen  hath  not  done  wrong  to  the  king 
only,  but  also  to  all  the  princes,  and  to  all  the 
people  that  are  in  all  the  provinces  of  the  king 
Ahasuerus.  For  this  deed  of  the  queen  shall  come 
abroad  unto  all  women,  so  that  they  shall  despise 
their  husbands  in  their  eyes,  when  it  shall  be  re- 
ported. The  king  Ahasuerus  commanded  Vashti 
the  queen  to  be  brought  in  before  him,  but  she  came 


ESTHER  257 

not.  Likewise  shall  the  ladies  of  Persia  and  Media 
say  this  day  unto  all  the  king's  princes,  which  have 
heard  of  the  deed  of  the  queen.  Thus  shall  there 
arise  too  much  contempt  and  wrath.  If  it  please 
the  king,  let  there  go  a  royal  commandment  from 
him,  and  let  it  be  written  among  the  laws  of  the 
Persians  and  the  Medes,  that  it  be  not  altered,  That 
Vashti  come  no  more  before  king  Ahasuerus ;  and 
let  the  king  give  her  royal  estate  unto  another  that 
is  better  than  she.  And  when  the  king's  decree 
which  he  shall  make  shall  be  published  throughout 
all  his  empire,  (for  it  is  great,)  all  the  wives  shall 
give  to  their  husbands  honour,  both  to  great  and 
small. 

And  the  saying  pleased  the  king  and  the  princes ; 
and  the  king  did  according  to  the  word  of 
Memucan :  for  he  sent  letters  into  all  the  king's 
provinces,  into  every  province  according  to  the 
writing  thereof,  and  to  every  people  after  their 
language,  that  every  man  should  bear  rule  in  his 
own  house,  and  that  it  should  be  published  accord- 
ing to  the  language  of  every  people. 

After  these  things,  when  the  wrath  of  king 
Ahasuerus  was  appeased,  he  remembered  Vashti, 
and  what  she  had  done,  and  what  was  decreed 
against  her.  Then  said  the  king's  servants  that 
ministered  unto  him,  Let  there  be  fair  young  virgins 
sought  for  the  king:  and  let  the  king  appoint 
officers  in  all  the  provinces  of  his  kingdom,  that  they 
may  gather  together  all  the  fair  young  virgins  unto 
Shushan  the  palace,  to  the  house  of  the  women, 
unto  the  custody  of  Hege  the  king's  chamberlain, 
keeper  of  the  women ;  and  let  their  things  for  purifi- 


258  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

cation  be  given  them :  and  let  the  maiden  which 
pleaseth  the  king  be  queen  instead  of  Vashti.  And 
the  thing  pleased  the  king;  and  he  did  so. 

Now  in  Shushan  the  palace  there  was  a  certain 
Jew,  whose  name  was  Mordecai,  the  son  of  Jair, 
the  son  of  Shimei,  the  son  of  Kish,  a  Benjamite ; 
who  had  been  carried  away  from  Jerusalem  with 
the  captivity  which  had  been  carried  away  with 
Jeconiah  king  of  Judah,  whom  Nebuchadnezzar  the 
king  of  Babylon  had  carried  away.  And  he  brought 
up  Hadassah,  that  is,  Esther,  his  uncle's  daughter: 
for  she  had  neither  father  nor  mother,  and  the  maid 
was  fair  and  beautiful ;  whom  Mordecai,  when  her 
father  and  mother  were  dead,  took  for  his  own 
daughter. 

So  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  king's  command- 
ment and  his  decree  was  heard,  and  when  many 
maidens  were  gathered  together  unto  Shushan  the 
palace,  to  the  custody  of  Hegai,  that  Esther  was 
brought  also  unto  the  king's  house,  to  the  custody 
of  Hegai,  keeper  of  the  women.  And  the  maiden 
pleased  him,  and  she  obtained  kindness  of  him ;  and 
he  speedily  gave  her  her  things  for  purification, 
with  such  things  as  belonged  to  her,  and  seven 
maidens,  which  were  meet  to  be  given  her,  out  of 
the  king's  house :  and  he  preferred  her  and  her 
maids  unto  the  best  place  of  the  house  of  the 
women.  Esther  had  not  shewed  her  people  nor 
her  kindred:  for  Mordecai  had  charged  her  that 
she  should  not  shew  it.  And  Mordecai  walked 
every  day  before  the  court  of  the  women's  house, 
to  know  how  Esther  did,  and  what  should  become 
of  her. 


ESTHER 


259 


Now  when  every  maid's  turn  was  come  to  go  in 
to  king  Ahasuerus,  after  that  she  had  been  twelvei 
months,  according  to  the  manner  of  the  women, 
(for  so  were  the  days  of  their  purifications  accom- 
plished, to  wit,  six  months  with  oil  of  myrrh,  and 
six  months  with  sweet  odours,  and  with  other  things 
for  the  purifying  of  the  women;)  then  thus  came 
every  maiden  unto  the  king ;  whatsoever  she  desired 
was  given  her  to  go  with  her  out  of  the  house  of  the 
women  unto  the  king's  house.  In  the  evening  she 
went,  and  on  the  morrow  she  returned  into  the 
second  house  of  the  women,  to  the  custody  of 
Shaashgaz,  the  king's  chamberlain,  which  kept  the 
concubines :  she  came  in  unto  the  king  no  more, 
except  the  king  delighted  in  her,  and  that  she  were 
called  by  name. 

Now  when  the  turn  of  Esther,  the  daughter  of 
Abihail  the  uncle  of  Mordecai,  who  had  taken  her 
for  his  daughter,  was  come  to  go  in  unto  the  king, 
she  required  nothing  but  what  Hegai  the  king's 
chamberlain,  the  keeper  of  the  women,  appointed. 
And  Esther  obtained  favour  in  the  sight  of  all  them 
that  looked  upon  her.  So  Esther  was  taken  unto 
king  Ahasuerus  into  his  house  royal  in  the  tenth 
month,  which  is  the  month  Tebeth,  in  the  seventh 
year  of  his  reign.  And  the  king  loved  Esther  above 
all  the  women,  and  she  obtained  grace  and  favour 
in  his  sight  more  than  all  the  virgins ;  so  that  he  set 
the  royal  crown  upon  her  head,  and  made  her  queen 
instead  of  Vashti.  Then  the  king  made  a  great 
feast  unto  all  his  princes  and  his  servants,  even 
Esther's  feast;  and  he  made  a  release  to  the 
provinces,  and  gave  gifts,  according  to  the  state  of 


260  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

the  king.  And  when  the  virgins  were  gathered 
together  the  second  time,  then  Mordecai  sat  in  the 
king's  gate.  Esther  had  not  yet  shewed  her  kindred 
nor  her  people ;  as  Mordecai  had  charged  her :  for 
Esther  did  the  commandment  of  Mordecai,  like  as 
when  she  was  brought  up  with  him. 

In  those  days,  while  Mordecai  sat  in  the  king's 
gate,  two  of  the  king's  chamberlains,  Bigthan  and 
Teresh,  of  those  which  kept  the  door,  were  wroth, 
and  sought  to  lay  hand  on  the  king  Ahasuerus. 
And  the  thing  was  known  to  Mordecai.  who  told  it 
unto  Esther  the  queen ;  and  Esther  certified  the 
king  thereof  in  Mordecai's  name.  And  when  in- 
quisition was  made  of  the  matter,  it  was  found  out ; 
therefore  they  were  both  hanged  on  a  tree :  and  it 
was  written  in  the  book  of  the  chronicles  before  the 
king. 

After  these  things  did  king  Ahasuerus  promote 
Hainan  the  son  of  Hammedatha  the  Agagite,  and 
advanced  him,  and  set  his  seat  above  all  the  princes 
that  were  with  him.  And  all  the  king's  servants, 
that  were  in  the  king's  gate,  bowed,  and  reverenced 
Hainan :  for  the  king  had  so  commanded  concern- 
ing him.  But  Mordecai  bowed  not,  nor  did  him 
reverence.  Then  the  king's  servants,  which  were 
in  the  king's  gate,  said  unto  Mordecai,  Why  trans- 
gressest  thou  the  king's  commandment?  Now  it 
came  to  pass,  when  they  spake  daily  unto  him,  and 
he  hearkened  not  unto  them,  that  they  told  Hainan, 
to  see  whether  Mordecai's  matters  would  stand : 
for  he  had  told  them  that  he  was  a  Jew.  And  when 
Haman  saw  that  Mordecai  bowed  not,  nor  did  him 
reverence,  then  was  Haman  full  of  wrath.  And  he 


ESTHER  261 

thought  scorn  to  lay  hands  on  Mordecai  alone ;  for 
they  had  shewed  him  the  people  of  Mordecai : 
wherefore  Haman  sought  to  destroy  all  the  Jews 
that  were  throughout  the  whole  kingdom  of 
Ahasuerus,  even  the  people  of  Mordecai. 

In  the  first  month,  that  is,  the  month  Nisan,  in 
the  twelfth  year  of  king  Ahasuerus,  they  cast  Pur, 
that  is,  the  lot,  before  Haman  from  day  to  day,  and 
from  month  to  month,  to  the  twelfth  month,  that 
is,  the  month  Adar.  And  Haman  said  unto  king 
Ahasuerus,  There  is  a  certain  people  scattered 
abroad  and  dispersed  among  the  people  in  all  the 
provinces  of  thy  kingdom ;  and  their  laws  are 
diverse  from  all  people ;  neither  keep  they  the  king's 
laws :  therefore  it  is  not  for  the  king's  profit  to 
suffer  them.  If  it  please  the  king,  let  it  be  written 
that  they  may  be  destroyed :  and  I  will  pay  ten 
thousand  talents  of  silver  to  the  hands  of  those  that 
have  the  charge  of  the  business,  to  bring  it  into  the 
king's  treasuries.  And  the  king  took  his  ring  from 
his  hand,  and  gave  it  unto  Haman  the  son  of  Ham- 
medatha  the  Agagite,  the  Jews'  enemy.  And  the 
king  said  unto  Haman,  The  silver  is  given  to  thee, 
the  people  also,  to  do  with  them  as  it  seemeth  good 
to  thee. 

Then  were  the  king's  scribes  called  on  the  thir- 
teenth day  of  the  first  month,  and  there  was  written 
according  to  all  that  Haman  had  commanded  unto 
the  king's  lieutenants,  and  to  the  governors  that 
were  over  every  province,  and  to  the  rulers  of  every 
people  of  every  province  according  to  the  writing 
thereof,  and  to  every  people  after  their  language ; 
in  the  name  of  king  Ahasuerus  was  it  written,  and 


262  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

sealed  with  the  king's  ring.  And  the  letters  were 
sent  by  posts  into  all  the  king's  provinces,  to  destroy, 
to  kill,  and  to  cause  to  perish,  all  Jews,  both  young 
and  old,  little  children  and  women,  in  one  day,  even 
upon  the  thirteenth  day  of  the  twelfth  month,  which 
is  the  month  Adar,  and  to  take  the  spoil  of  them  for 
a  prey.  The  copy  of  the  writing  for  a  command- 
ment to  be  given  in  every  province  was  published 
unto  all  people,  that  they  should  be  ready  against 
that  day.  The  posts  went  out,  being  hastened  by 
the  king's  commandment,  and  the  decree  was  given 
in  Shushan  the  palace.  And  the  king  and  Haman 
sat  down  to  drink;  but  the  city  Shushan  was  per- 
plexed. 

When  Mordecai  perceived  all  that  was  done, 
Mordecai  rent  his  clothes,  and  put  on  sackcloth  with 
ashes,  and  went  out  into  the  midst  of  the  city,  and 
cried  with  a  loud  and  a  bitter  cry;  and  came  even 
before  the  king's  gate :  for  none  might  enter  into 
the  king's  gate  clothed  with  sackcloth.  And  in 
every  province,  whithersoever  the  king's  command- 
ment and  his  decree  came,  there  was  great  mourn- 
ing among  the  Jews,  and  fasting,  and  weeping,  and 
wailing;  and  many  lay  in  sackcloth  and  ashes. 

So  Esther's  maids  and  her  chamberlains  came 
and  told  it  her.  Then  was  the  queen  exceedingly 
grieved ;  and  she  sent  raiment  to  clothe  Mordecai, 
and  to  take  away  his  sackcloth  from  him :  but  he 
received  it  not.  Then  called  Esther  for  Hatach, 
one  of  the  king's  chamberlains,  whom  he  had  ap- 
pointed to  attend  upon  her,  and  gave  him  a  com- 
mandment to  Mordecai,  to  know  what  it  was,  and 
why  it  was.  So  Hatach  went  forth  to  Mordecai 


ESTHER  263 

unto  the  street  of  the  city,  which  was  before  the 
king's  gate.  And  Mordecai  told  him  of  all  that  had 
happened  unto  him,  and  of  the  sum  of  the  money 
that  Haman  had  promised  to  pay  to  the  king's 
treasuries  for  the  Jews,  to  destroy  them.  Also  he 
gave  him  the  copy  of  the  writing  of  the  decree  that 
was  given  at  Shushan  to  destroy  them,  to  shew  it 
unto  Esther,  and  to  declare  it  unto  her,  and  to 
charge  her  that  she  should  go  in  unto  the  king  to 
make  supplication  unto  him,  and  to  make  request 
before  him  for  her  people.  And  Hatach  came  and 
told  Esther  the  words  of  Mordecai.  Again  Esther 
spake  unto  Hatach,  and  gave  him  commandment 
unto  Mordecai;  All  the  king's  servants,  and  the 
people  of  the  king's  provinces,  do  know,  that  who- 
soever, whether  man  or  woman,  shall  come  unto 
the  king  into  the  inner  court,  who  is  not  called, 
there  is  one  law  of  his  to  put  him  to  death,  except 
such  to  whom  the  king  shall  hold  out  the  golden 
sceptre,  that  he  may  live :  but  I  have  not  been  called 
to  come  in  unto  the  king  these  thirty  days.  And 
they  told  to  Mordecai  Esther's  words. 

Then  Mordecai  commanded  to  answer  Esther, 
Think  not  with  thyself  that  thou  shalt  escape  in  the 
king's  house,  more  than  all  the  Jews.  For  if  thou 
altogether  boldest  thy  peace  at  this  time,  then  shall 
there  enlargement  and  deliverance  arise  to  the  Jews 
from  another  place ;  but  thou  and  thy  father's  house 
shall  be  destroyed :  and  who  knoweth  whether  thou 
art  come  to  the  kingdom  for  such  a  time  as  this? 
Then  Esther  bade  them  return  Mordecai  this 
answer,  Go,  gather  together  all  the  Jews  that  are 
present  in  Shushan,  and  fast  ye  for  me,  and  neither 


264  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

eat  nor  drink  three  days,  night  or  day:  I  also  and 
my  maidens  will  fast  likewise ;  and  so  will  I  go  in 
unto  the  king,  which  is  not  according  to  the  law : 
and  if  I  perish,  I  perish.  So  Mordecai  went  his 
way,  and  did  according  to  all  that  Esther  had  com- 
manded him. 

Now  it  came  to  pass  on  the  third  day,  that  Esther 
put  on  her  royal  apparel,  and  stood  in  the  inner 
court  of  the  king's  house,  over  against  the  king's 
house :  and  the  king  sat  upon  his  royal  throne  in 
the  royal  house,  over  against  the  gate  of  the  house. 
And  it  was  so,  when  the  king  saw  Esther  the  queen 
standing  in  the  court,  that  she  obtained  favour  in  his 
sight :  and  the  king  held  out  to  Esther  the  golden 
sceptre  that  was  in  his  hand.  So  Esther  drew  near, 
and  touched  the  top  of  the  sceptre.  Then  said  the 
king  unto  her,  What  wilt  thou,  queen  Esther?  and 
what  is  thy  request?  it  shall  be  even  given  thee 
to  the  half  of  the  kingdom.  And  Esther  answered, 
If  it  seem  good  unto  the  king,  let  the  king  and 
Haman  come  this  day  unto  the  banquet  that  I  have 
prepared  for  him.  Then  the  king  said,  Cause 
Haman  to  make  haste,  that  he  may  do  as  Esther 
hath  said.  So  the  king  and  Haman  came  to  the 
banquet  that  Esther  had  prepared. 

And  the  king  said  unto  Esther  at  the  banquet  of 
wine,  What  is  thy  petition?  and  it  shall  be  granted 
thee:  and  what  is  thy  request?  even  to  the  half  of 
the  kingdom  it  shall  be  performed.  Then  answered 
Esther,  and  said,  My  petition  and  my  request  is ; 
if  I  have  found  favour  in  the  sight  of  the  king,  and 
if  it  please  the  king  to  grant  my  petition,  and  to 
perform  my  request,  let  the  king  and  Haman  come 


ESTHER  265 

to  the  banquet  that  I  shall  prepare  for  them,  and  I 
will  do  to  morrow  as  the  king  hath  said. 

Then  went  Haman  forth  that  day  joyful  and  with 
a  glad  heart:  but  when  Haman  saw  Mordecai  in 
the  king's  gate,  that  he  stood  not  up,  nor  moved 
for  him,  he  was  full  of  indignation  against  Morde- 
cai. Nevertheless  Haman  refrained  himself:  and 
when  he  came  home,  he  sent  and  called  for  his 
friends,  and  Zeresh  his  wife.  And  Haman  told 
them  of  the  glory  of  his  riches,  and  the  multitude 
of  his  children,  and  all  the  things  wherein  the  king 
had  promoted  him,  and  how  he  had  advanced  him 
above  the  princes  and  servants  of  the  king.  Haman 
said  moreover,  Yea,  Esther  the  queen  did  let  no 
man  come  in  with  the  king  unto  the  banquet  that 
she  had  prepared  but  myself;  and  to  morrow  am  I 
invited  unto  her  also  with  the  king.  Yet  all  this 
availeth  me  nothing,  so  long  as  I  see  Mordecai  the 
Jew  sitting  at  the  king's  gate.  Then  said  Zeresh 
liis  wife  and  all  his  friends  unto  him,  Let  a  gallows 
be  made  of  fifty  cubits  high,  and  to  morrow  speak 
thou  unto  the  king  that  Mordecai  may  be  hanged 
thereon :  then  go  thou  in  merrily  with  the  king  unto 
the  banquet.  And  the  thing  pleased  Haman;  and 
he  caused  the  gallows  to  be  made. 

On  that  night  could  not  the  king  sleep,  and  he 
commanded  to  bring  the  book  of  records  of  the 
chronicles ;  and  they  were  read  before  the  king. 
And  it  was  found  written,  that  Mordecai  had  told  of 
Bigthana  and  Teresh,  two  of  the  king's  chamber- 
lains, the  keepers  of  the  door,  who  sought  to  lay 
hand  on  the  king  Ahasuerus.  And  the  king  said, 
What  honour  and  dignity  hath  been  done  to  Mor- 


266  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

decai  for  this?  Then  said  the  king's  servants  that 
ministered  unto  him,  There  is  nothing  done  for  him. 
And  the  king  said,  Who  is  in  the  court?  Now 
Haman  was  come  into  the  outward  court  of  the 
king's  house,  to  speak  unto  the  king  to  hang  Morde- 
cai  on  the  gallows  that  he  had  prepared  for  him. 
And  the  king's  servants  said  unto  him,  Behold, 
Haman  standeth  in  the  court.  And  the  king  said, 
Let  him  come  in.  So  Haman  came  in.  And  the 
king  said  unto  him,  What  shall  be  done  unto  the 
man  whom  the  king  delighteth  to  honour?  Now 
Haman  thought  in  his  heart,  To  whom  would  the 
king  delight  to  do  honour  more  than  to  myself? 
And  Haman  answered  the  king,  For  the  man  whom 
the  king  delighteth  to  honour,  let  the  royal  apparel 
be  brought  which  the  king  useth  to  wear,  and  the 
horse  that  the  king  rideth  upon,  and  the  crown 
royal  which  is  set  upon  his  head:  and  let  this  ap- 
parel and  horse  be  delivered  to  the  hand  of  one  of 
the  king's  most  noble  princes,  that  they  may  array 
the  man  withal  whom  the  king  delighteth  to  honour, 
and  bring  him  on  horseback  through  the  street  of 
the  city,  and  proclaim  before  him,  Thus  shall  it  be 
done  to  the  man  whom  the  king  delighteth  to 
honour.  Then  the  king  said  to  Haman,  Make 
haste,  and  take  the  apparel  and  the  horse,  as  thou 
hast  said,  and  do  even  so  to  Mordecai  the  Jew,  that 
sitteth  at  the  king's  gate :  let  nothing  fail  of  all  that 
thou  hast  spoken.  Then  took  Hainan  the  apparel 
and  the  horse,  and  arrayed  Mordecai,  and  brought 
him  on  horseback  through  the  street  of  the  city, 
and  proclaimed  before  him,  Thus  shall  it  be  done 
unto  the  man  whom  the  king  delighteth  to  honour. 


ESTHER  267 

And  Mordecai  came  again  to  the  king's  gate. 
But  Haman  hasted  to  his  house  mourning,  and  hav- 
ing his  head  covered.  And  Haman  told  Zeresh  his 
wife  and  all  his  friends  every  thing  that  had  befallen 
him.  Then  said  his  wise  men  and  Zeresh  his  wife 
unto  him,  If  Mordecai  be  of  the  seed  of  the  Jews, 
before  whom  thou  hast  begun  to  fall,  thou  shalt  not 
prevail  against  him,  but  shalt  surely  fall  before  him. 
And  while  they  were  yet  talking  with  him,  came 
the  king's  chamberlains,  and  hasted  to  bring  Haman 
unto  the  banquet  that  Esther  had  prepared. 

So  the  king  and  Haman  came  to  banquet  with 
Esther  the  queen.  And  the  king  said  again  unto 
Esther  on  the  second  day  at  the  banquet  of  wine, 
What  is  thy  petition,  queen  Esther?  and  it  shall  be 
granted  thee :  and  what  is  thy  request  ?  and  it  shall 
be  performed,  even  to  the  half  of  the  kingdom. 
Then  Esther  the  queen  answered  and  said,  If  I 
have  found  favour  in  thy  sight,  O  king,  and  if  it 
please  the  king,  let  my  life  be  given  me  at  my  peti- 
tion, and  my  people  at  my  request :  for  we  are  sold, 
I  and  my  people,  to  be  destroyed,  to  be  slain,  and 
to  perish.  But  if  we  had  been  sold  for  bondmen 
and  bondwomen,  I  had  held  my  tongue,  although 
the  enemy  could  not  countervail  the  king's  damage. 
Then  the  king  Ahasuerus  answered  and  said  unto 
Esther  the  queen,  Who  is  he,  and  where  is  he,  that 
durst  presume  in  his  heart  to  do  so?  And  Esther 
said,  The  adversary  and  enemy  is  this  wicked 
Haman.  Then  Haman  was  afraid  before  the  king 
and  the  queen. 

And  the  king  arising  from  the  banquet  of  wine 
in  his  wrath  went  into  the  palace  garden:  and 


268  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Hainan  stood  up  to  make  request  for  his  life  to 
Esther  the  queen;  for  he  saw  that  there  was  evil 
determined  against  him  by  the  king.  Then  the 
king  returned  out  of  the  palace  garden  into  the 
place  of  the  banquet  of  wine ;  and  Haman  was  fallen 
upon  the  bed  whereon  Esther  was.  Then  said  the 
king,  Will  he  force  the  queen  also  before  me  in  the 
house  ?  As  the  word  went  out  of  the  king's  mouth, 
they  covered  Hainan's  face.  And  Harbonah,  one 
of  the  chamberlains,  said  before  the  king,  Behold 
also  the  gallows  fifty  cubits  high,  which  Haman 
had  made  for  Mordecai,  who  had  spoken  good  for 
the  king,  standeth  in  the  house  of  Haman.  Then 
the  king  said,  Hang  him  thereon.  So  they  hanged 
Haman  on  the  gallows  that  he  had  prepared  for 
Mordecai.  Then  was  the  king's  wrath  pacified. 

On  that  day  did  the  king  Ahasuerus  give  the 
house  of  Haman  the  Jews'  enemy  unto  Esther  the 
queen.  And  Mordecai  came  before  the  king;  for 
Esther  had  told  what  he  was  unto  her.  And  the 
king  took  off  his  ring,  which  he  had  taken  from 
Haman,  and  gave  it  unto  Mordecai.  And  Esther 
set  Mordecai  over  the  house  of  Haman. 

And  Esther  spake  yet  again  before  the  king,  and 
fell  down  at  his  feet,  and  besought  him  with  tears 
to  put  away  the  mischief  of  Haman  the  Agagite, 
and  his  device  that  he  had  devised  against  the  Jews. 
Then  the  king  held  out  the  golden  sceptre  toward 
Esther.  So  Esther  arose,  and  stood  before  the 
king,  and  said.  If  it  please  the  king,  and  if  I  have 
found  favour  in  his  sight,  and  the  thing  seem  right 
before  the  king,  and  I  be  pleasing  in  his  eyes,  let 
it  be  written  to  reverse  the  letters  devised  by 


ESTHER  269 

Haman  the  son  of  Hammedatha  the  Agagite,  which 
he  wrote  to  destroy  the  Jews  which  are  in  all  the 
king's  provinces :  for  how  can  I  endure  to  see  the 
evil  that  shall  come  unto  my  people?  or  how  can  I 
endure  to  see  the  destruction  of  my  kindred?  Then 
the  king  Ahasuerus  said  unto  Esther  the  queen  and 
to  Mordecai  the  Jew,  Behold,  I  have  given  Esther 
the  house  of  Haman,  and  him  they  have  hanged 
upon  the  gallows,  because  he  laid  his  hand  upon 
the  Jews.  Write  ye  also  for  the  Jews,  as  it  liketh 
you,  in  the  king's  name,  and  seal  it  with  the  king's 
ring:  for  the  writing  which  is  written  in  the  king's 
name,  and  sealed  with  the  king's  ring,  may  no  man 
reverse. 

Then  were  the  king's  scribes  called  at  that  time 
in  the  third  month,  that  is,  the  month  Sivan,  on  the 
three  and  twentieth  day  thereof ;  and  it  was  written 
according  to  all  that  Mordecai  commanded  unto  the 
Jews,  and  to  the  lieutenants,  and  the  deputies  and 
rulers  of  the  provinces  which  are  from  India  unto 
Ethiopia,  an  hundred  twenty  and  seven  provinces, 
unto  every  province  according  to  the  writing 
thereof,  and  unto  every  people  after  their  language, 
and  to  the  Jews  according  to  their  writing,  and 
according  to  their  language.  And  he  wrote  in  the 
king  Ahasuerus'  name,  and  sealed  it  with  the  king's 
ring,  and  sent  letters  by  posts  on  horseback,  and 
riders  on  mules,  camels^  and  young  dromedaries : 
wherein  the  king  granted  the  Jews  which  were  in 
every  city  to  gather  themselves  together,  and  to 
stand  for  their  life,  to  destroy,  to  slay,  and  to  cause 
to  perish,  all  the  power  of  the  people  and  province 
that  would  assault  them,  both  little  ones  and  women, 


270  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

• 

and  to  take  the  spoil  of  them  for  a  prey.  Upon 
one  day  in  all  the  provinces  of  king  Ahasuerus, 
namely,  upon  the  thirteenth  day  of  the  twelfth 
month,  which  is  the  month  Adar.  The  copy  of  the 
writing  for  a  commandment  to  be  given  in  every 
province  was  published  unto  all  people,  and  that 
the  Jews  should  be  ready  against  that  day  to  avenge 
themselves  on  their  enemies.  So  the  posts  that  rode 
upon  mules  and  camels  went  out,  being  hastened 
and  pressed  on  by  the  king's  commandment.  And 
the  decree  was  given  at  Shushan  the  palace. 

And  Mordecai  went  out  from  the  presence  of  the 
king  in  royal  apparel  of  blue  and  white,  and  with 
a  great  crown  of  gold,  and  with  a  garment  of  fine 
linen  and  purple :  and  the  city  of  Shushan  rejoiced 
and  was  glad.  And  the  Jews  had  light,  and  glad- 
ness, and  joy,  and  honour.  And  in  every  province, 
and  in  every  city,  whithersoever  the  king's  com- 
mandment and  his  decree  came,  the  Jews  had  joy 
and  gladness,  a  feast  and  a  good  day.  And  many 
of  the  people  of  the  land  became  Jews ;  for  the  fear 
of  the  Jews  fell  upon  them. 

Now  in  the  twelfth  month,  that  is,  the  month 
Adar,  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  the  same,  when  the 
king's  commandment  and  his  decree  drew  near  to 
be  put  in  execution,  in  the  day  that  the  enemies 
of  the  Jews  hoped  to  have  power  over  them, 
(though  it  was  turned  to  the  contrary,  that  the 
Jews  had  rule  over  them  that  hated  them;)  the 
Jews  gathered  themselves  together  in  their  cities 
throughout  all  the  provinces  of  the  king  Ahasuerus, 
to  lay  hand  on  such  as  sought  their  hurt :  and  no 
man  could  withstand  them ;  for  the  fear  of  them 


ESTHER 


271 


fell  upon  all  people.  And  all  the  rulers  of  the 
provinces,  and  the  lieutenants,  and  the  deputies, 
and  officers  of  the  king,  helped  the  Jews ;  because 
the  fear  of  Mordecai  fell  upon  them.  For  Morde- 
cai was  great  in  the  king's  house,  and  his  fame 
went  out  throughout  all  the  provinces :  for  this 
man  Mordecai  waxed  greater  and  greater. 

Thus  the  Jews  smote  all  their  enemies  with  the 
stroke  of  the  sword,  and  slaughter,  and  destruction, 
and  did  what  they  would  unto  those  that  hated 
them.  And  in  Shushan  the  palace  the  Jews  slew 
and  destroyed  five  hundred  men.  And  Parshan- 
datha,  and  Dalphon,  and  Aspatha,  and  Poratha,  and 
Adalia,  and  Aridatha,  and  Parmashta,  and  Arisai, 
and  Aridai,  and  Vajezatha,  the  ten  sons  of  Haman 
the  son  of  Hammedatha,  the  enemy  of  the  Jews, 
slew  they ;  but  on  the  spoil  laid  they  not  their  hand. 
On  that  day  the  number  of  those  that  were  slain  in 
Shushan  the  palace  was  brought  before  the  king. 

And  the  king  said  unto  Esther  the  queen,  The  Jews 
'have  slain  and  destroyed  five  hundred  men  in  Shu- 
shan the  palace,  and  the  ten  sons  of  Haman;  what 
have  they  done  in  the  rest  of  the  king's  provinces? 
now  what  is  thy  petition?  and  it  shall  be  granted 
thee ;  or  what  is  thy  request  further  ?  and  it  shall  be 
done.  Then  said  Esther,  If  it  please  the  king,  let  it 
be  granted  to  the  Jews  which  are  in  Shushan  to  do 
to  morrow  also  according  unto  this  day's  decree, 
and  let  Haman's  ten  sons  be  hanged  upon  the  gal- 
lows. And  the  king  commanded  it  so  to  be  done: 
and  the  decree  was  given  at  Shushan;  and  they 
hanged  Hainan's  ten  sons.  For  the  Jews  that  were 
in  Shushan  gathered  themselves  together  on  the 


272  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

fourteenth  day  also  of  the  month  Adar,  and  slew 
three  hundred  men  at  Shushan ;  but  on  the  prey 
they  laid  not  their  hand.  But  the  other  Jews  that 
were  in  the  king's  provinces  gathered  themselves 
together,  and  stood  for  their  lives,  and  had  rest 
from  their  enemies,  and  slew  of  their  foes  seventy 
and  five  thousand,  but  they  laid  not  their  hands  on 
the  prey, %>n  the  thirteenth  day  of  the  month  Adar; 
and  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  same  rested  they, 
and  made  it  a  day  of  feasting  and  gladness.  But 
the  Jews  that  were  at  Shushan  assembled  together 
on  the  thirteenth  day  thereof,  and  on  the  fourteenth 
thereof;  and  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  the  same  they 
rested,  and  made  it  a  day  of  feasting  and  gladness. 
Therefore  the  Jews  of  the  villages,  that  dwelt  in  the 
unwalled  towns,  made  the  fourteenth  day  of  the 
month  Adar  a  day  of  gladness  and  feasting,  and  a 
good  day,  and  of  sending  portions  one  to  another. 
And  Mordecai  wrote  these  things,  and  sent  letters 
unto  all  the  Jews  that  were  in  all  the  provinces  of  the 
king  Ahasuerus,  both  nigh  and  far,  to  stablish  this 
among  them,  that  they  should  keep  the  fourteenth 
day  of  the  month  Adar,  and  the  fifteenth  day  of 
the  same,  yearly,  as  the  days  wherein  the  Jews 
rested  from  their  enemies,  and  the  month  which 
was  turned  unto  them  from  sorrow  to  joy,  and  from 
mourning  into  a  good  day:  that  they  should  make 
them  days  of  feasting  and  joy,  and  of  sending  por- 
tions one  to  another,  and  gifts  to  the  poor.  And 
the  Jews  undertook  to  do  as  they  had  begun,  and 
as  Mordecai  had  written  unto  them;  because 
Haman  the  son  of  Hammedatha,  the  Agagite,  the 
enemy  of  all  the  Jews,  had  devised  against  the  Jews 


ESTHER  273 

to  destroy  them,  and  had  cast  Pur,  that  is,  the  lot, 
to  consume  them,  and  to  destroy  them ;  but  when 
Esther  came  before  the  king,  he  commanded  by 
letters  that  his  wicked  device,  which  he  devised 
against  the  Jews,  should  return  upon  his  own  head, 
and  that  he  and  his  sons  should  be  hanged  on  the 
gallows.  Wherefore  they  called  these  days  Purim 
after  the  name  of  Pur.  Therefore  for  all  the  words 
of  this  letter,  and  of  that  which  they  had  seen  con- 
cerning this  matter,  and  which  had  come  unto  them, 
the  Jews  ordained,  and  took  upon  them,  and  upon 
their  seed,  and  upon  all  such  as  joined  themselves 
unto  them,  so  as  it  should  not  fail,  that  they  would 
keep  these  two  days  according  to  their  writing,  and 
according  to  their  appointed  time  every  year ;  and 
that  these  days  should  be  remembered  and  kept 
throughout  every  generation,  every  family,  every 
province,  and  every  city;  and  that  these  days  of 
Purim  should  not  fail  from  among  the  Jews,  nor 
the  memorial  of  them  perish  from  their  seed. 

Then  Esther  the  queen,  the  daughter  of  Abihail, 
and  Mordecai  the  Jew,  wrote  with  all  authority,  to 
confirm  this  second  letter  of  Purim.  And  he  sent 
the  letters  unto  all  the  Jews,  to  the  hundred  twenty 
and  seven  provinces  of  the  kingdom  of  Ahasuerus, 
with  words  of  peace  and  truth,  to  confirm  these 
days  of  Purim  in  their  times  appointed,  according 
as  Mordecai  the  Jew  and  Esther  the  queen  had 
enjoined  them,  and  as  they  had  decreed  for  them- 
selves and  for  their  seed,  the  matters  of  the  fastings 
and  their  cry.  And  the  decree  of  Esther  confirmed 
these  matters  of  Purim ;  and  it  was  written  in  the 
book. 


274  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

And  the  king  Ahasuerus  laid  a  tribute  upon  the 
land,  and  upon  the  isles  of  the  sea.  And  all  the 
acts  of  his  power  and  of  his  might,  and  the  declara- 
tion of  the  greatness  of  Mordecai,  whereunto  the 
king  advanced  him,  are  they  not  written  in  the  book 
of  the  chronicles  of  the  kings  of  Media  and  Persia  ? 
For  Mordecai  the  Jew  was  next  unto  king  Ahasue- 
rus, and  great  among  the  Jews,  and  accepted  of  the 
multitude  of  his  brethren,  seeking  the  wealth  of  his 
people,  and  speaking  peace  to  all  his  seed. 


LVII. 
1RdnicbaDne33ar'8  Dreams. 

Daniel  ii.  and  iv. 

AND  in  the  second  year  of  the  reign  of  Nebu- 
chadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar  dreamed  dreams, 
wherewith  his  spirit  was  troubled,  and  his  sleep 
brake  from  him.  Then  the  king  commanded  to  call 
the  magicians,  and  the  astrologers,  and  the  sorcerers, 
and  the  Chaldeans,  for  to  shew  the  king  his  dreams. 
So  they  came  and  stood  before  the  king.  And  the 
king  said  unto  them,  I  have  dreamed  a  dream,  and 
my  spirit  was  troubled  to  know  the  dream.  Then 
spake  the  Chaldeans  to  the  king  in  Syriack,  O  king, 
live  for  ever:  tell  thy  servants  the  dream,  and  we 
will  shew  the  interpretation.  The  king  answered 
and  said  to  the  Chaldeans,  The  thing  is  gone  from 
me :  if  ye  will  not  make  known  unto  me  the  dream, 
with  the  interpretation  thereof,  ye  shall  be  cut  in 
pieces,  and  your  houses  shall  be  made  a  dunghill 


NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S  DREAMS  275 

But  if  ye  shew  the  dream,  and  the  interpretation 
thereof,  ye  shall  receive  of  me  gifts  and  rewards 
and  great  honour :  therefore  shew  me  the  dream, 
and  the  interpretation  thereof.  They  answered 
again  and  said,  Let  the  king  tell  his  servants  the 
dream,  and  we  will  shew  the  interpretation  of  it. 
The  king  answered  and  said,  I  know  of  certainty 
that  ye  would  gain  the  time,  because  ye  see  the  thing 
is  gone  from  me.  But  if  ye  will  not  make  known 
unto  me  the  dream,  there  is  but  one  decree  for  you : 
for  ye  have  prepared  lying  and  corrupt  words  to 
speak  before  me,  till  the  time  be  changed :  therefore 
tell  me  the  dream,  and  I  shall  know  that  ye  can 
shew  me  the  interpretation  thereof. 

The  Chaldeans  answered  before  the  king,  and 
said,  There  is  not  a  man  upon  the  earth  that  can 
shew  the  king's  matter :  therefore  there  is  no  king, 
lord,  nor  ruler,  that  asked  such  things  at  any 
magician,  or  astrologer,  or  Chaldean.  And  it  is  a 
rare  thing  that  the  king  requireth,  and  there  is  none 
other  that  can  shew  it  before  the  king,  except  the 
gods,  whose  dwelling  is  not  with  flesh.  For  this 
cause  the  king  was  angry  and  very  furious,  and 
commanded  to  destroy  all  the  wise  men  of  Babylon. 
And  the  decree  went  forth  that  the  wise  men  should 
be  slain ;  and  they  sought  Daniel  and  his  fellows 
to  be  slain. 

Then  Daniel  answered  with  counsel  and  wisdom 
to  Arioch  the  captain  of  the  king's  guard,  which 
was  gone  forth  to  slay  the  wise  men  of  Babylon ; 
he  answered  and  said  to  Arioch  the  king's  captain, 
Why  is  the  decree  so  hasty  from  the  king?  Then 
Arioch  made  the  thing  known  to  Daniel.  Then 


276  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Daniel  went  in,  and  desired  of  the  king  that  he 
would  give  him  time,  and  that  he  would  shew  the 
king  the  interpretation.  Then  Daniel  went  to  his 
house,  and  made  the  thing  known  to  Hananiah, 
Mishael,  and  Azariah,  his  companions:  that  they 
would  desire  mercies  of  the  God  of  heaven  con- 
cerning this  secret;  that  Daniel  and  his  fellows 
should  not  perish  with  the  rest  of  the  wise  men 
of  Babylon. 

Then  was  the  secret  revealed  unto  Daniel  in  a 
night  vision.  Then  Daniel  blessed  the  God  of 
heaven.  Daniel  answered  and  said,  Blessed  be  the 
name  of  God  for  ever  and  ever :  for  wisdom  and 
might  are  his :  and  he  changeth  the  times  and  the 
seasons:  he  removeth  kings,  and  setteth  up  kings: 
he  giveth  wisdom  unto  the  wise,  and  knowledge  to 
them  that  know  understanding:  he  revealeth  the 
deep  and  secret  things :  he  knoweth  what  is  in  the 
darkness,  and  the  light  dwelleth  with  him.  I  thank 
thee,  and  praise  thee,  O  thou  God  of  my  fathers, 
who  hast  given  me  wisdom  and  might,  and  hast 
made  known  unto  me  now  what  we  desired  of  thee : 
for  thou  hast  now  made  known  unto  us  the  king's 
matter. 

Therefore^Daniel  went  in  unto  Arioch,  whom  the 
king  had  ordained  to  destroy  the  wise  men  of  Baby- 
lon: he  went  and  said  thus  unto  him;  Destroy  not 
the  wise  men  of  Babylon:  bring  me  in  before  the 
king,  and  I  will  shew  unto  the  king  the  interpreta- 
tion. Then  Arioch  brought  in  Daniel  before  the 
king  in  haste,  and  said  thus  unto  him,  I  have  found 
a  man  of  the  captives  of  Judah,  that  will  make 
known  unto  the  king  the  interpretation.  The  king 


NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S  DREAMS          277 

answered  and  said  to  Daniel,  whose  name  was  Belte- 
shazzar,  Art  thou  able  to  make  known  unto  me  the 
dream  which  I  have  seen,  and  the  interpretation 
thereof? 

Daniel  answered  in  the  presence  of  the  king,  and 
said,  The  secret  which  the  king  hath  demanded 
cannot  the  wise  men,  the  astrologers,  the  magicians, 
the  soothsayers,  shew  unto  the  king;  but  there  is  a 
God  in  heaven  that  revealeth  secrets,  and  maketh 
known  to  the  king  Nebuchadnezzar  what  shall  be 
in  the  latter  days.  Thy  dream,  and  the  visions  of 
thy  head  upon  thy  bed,  are  these ;  as  for  thee,  O 
king,  thy  thoughts  came  into  thy  mind  upon  thy 
bed,  what  should  come  to  pass  hereafter :  and  he 
that  revealeth  secrets  maketh  known  to  thee  what 
shall  come  to  pass.  But  as  for  me,  this  secret  is 
not  revealed  to  me  for  any  wisdom  that  I  have  more 
than  any  living,  but  for  their  sakes  that  shall  make 
known  the  interpretation  to  the  king,  and  that  thou 
mightest  know  the  thoughts  of  thy  heart.  Thou, 
O  king,  sawest,  and  behold  a  great  image.  This 
great  image,  whose  brightness  was  excellent,  stood 
before  thee ;  and  the  form  thereof  was  terrible. 
This  image's  head  was  of  fine  gold,  his  breast  and 
his  arms  of  silver,  his  belly  and  his  thighs  of  brass, 
his  legs  of  iron,  his  feet  part  of  iron  and  part  of 
clay.  Thou  sawest  till  that  a  stone  was  cut  without 
hands,  which  smote  the  image  upon  his  feet  that 
were  of  iron  and  clay,  and  brake  them  to  pieces. 
Then  was  the  iron,  the  clay,  the  brass,  the  silver, 
and  the  gold,  broken  to  pieces  together,  and  became 
like  the  chaff  of  the  summer  threshingfloors ;  and 
the  wind  carried  them  away,  that  no  place  was 


278  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

found  for  them :  and  the  stone  that  smote  the  image 
became  a  great  mountain,  and  filled  the  whole  earth. 
This  is  the  dream;  and  we  will  tell  the  interpre- 
tation thereof  before  the  king.  Thou,  O  king,  art 
a  king  of  kings :  for  the  God  of  heaven  hath  given 
thee  a  kingdom,  power,  and  strength,  and  glory. 
And  wheresoever  the  children  of  men  dwell,  the 
beasts  of  the  field  and  the  fowls  of  the  heaven  hath 
he  given  into  thine  hand,  and  hath  made  thee  ruler 
over  them  all.  Thou  art  this  head  of  gold.  And 
after  thee  shall  arise  another  kingdom  inferior  to 
thee,  and  another  third  kingdom  of  brass,  which 
shall  bear  rule  over  all  the  earth.  And  the  fourth 
kingdom  shall  be  strong  as  iron :  forasmuch  as  iron 
breaketh  in  pieces  and  subdueth  all  things :  and  as 
iron  that  breaketh  all  these,  shall  it  break  in  pieces 
and  bruise.  And  whereas  thou  sawest  the  feet  and 
toes,  part  of  potters'  clay,  and  part  of  iron,  the 
kingdom  shall  be  divided ;  but  there  shall  be  in  it 
of  the  strength  of  the  iron,  forasmuch  as  thou  saw- 
est the  iron  mixed  with  miry  clay.  And  as  the  toes 
of  the  feet  were  part  of  iron,  and  part  of  clay,  so 
the  kingdom  shall  be  partly  strong,  and  partly 
broken.  And  whereas  thou  sawest  iron  mixed  with 
miry  clay,  they  shall  mingle  themselves  with  the 
seed  of  men :  but  they  shall  not  cleave  one  to  an- 
other, even  as  iron  is  not  mixed  with  clay.  And  in 
the  days  of  these  kings  shall  the  God  of  heaven  set 
up  a  kingdom,  which  shall  never  be  destroyed :  and 
the  kingdom  shall  not  be  left  to  other  people,  but  it 
shall  break  in  pieces  and  consume  all  these  king- 
doms, and  it  shall  stand  for  ever.  Forasmuch  as 
thou  sawest  that  the  stone  was  cut  out  of  the  moun- 


NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S  DREAMS  279 

tain  without  hands,  and  that  it  brake  in  pieces  the 
iron,  the  brass,  the  clay,  the  silver,  and  the  gold ; 
the  great  God  hath  made  known  to  the  king  what 
shall  come  to  pass  hereafter :  and  the  dream  is  cer- 
tain, and  the  interpretation  thereof  sure. 

Then  the  king  Nebuchadnezzar  fell  upon  his 
face,  and  worshipped  Daniel,  and  commanded  that 
they  should  offer  an  oblation  and  sweet  odours  unto 
him.  The  king  answered  unto  Daniel,  and  said, 
Of  a  truth  it  is,  that  your  God  is  a  God  of  gods, 
and  a  Lord  of  kings,  and  a  revealer  of  secrets, 
seeing  thou  couldest  reveal  this  secret.  Then  the 
king  made  Daniel  a  great  man,  and  gave  him  many 
great  gifts,  and  made  him  ruler  over  the  whole 
province  of  Babylon,,  and  chief  of  the  governors 
over  all  the  wise  men  of  Babylon.  Then  Daniel 
requested  of  the  king,  and  he  set  Shadrach, 
Meshach,  and  Abed-nego,  over  the  affairs  of  the 
province  of  Babylon :  but  Daniel  sat  in  the  gate  of 
the  king. 

*  •  •  •  • 

Nebuchadnezzar  the  king,  unto  all  people,  nations, 
and  languages,  that  dwell  in  all  the  earth ;  Peace  be 
multiplied  unto  you.  I  thought  it  good  to  shew  the 
signs  and  wonders  that  the  high  God  hath  wrought 
toward  me.  How  great  are  his  signs !  and  how 
mighty  are  his  wonders !  his  kingdom  is  an  ever- 
lasting kingdom,  and  his  dominion  is  from  genera- 
tion to  generation. 

I  Nebuchadnezzar  was  at  rest  in  mine  house,  and 
flourishing  in  my  palace :  I  saw  a  dream  which 
made  me  afraid,  and  the  thoughts  upon  my  bed  and 
the  visions  of  my  head  troubled  me.  Therefore  made 


28o  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

I  a  decree  to  bring  in  all  the  wise  men  of  Babylon 
before  me,  that  they  might  make  known  unto  me  the 
interpretation  of  the  dream.  Then  came  in  the 
magicians,  the  astrologers,  the  Chaldeans,  and  the 
soothsayers:  and  I  told  the  dream  before  them;  but 
they  did  not  make  known  unto  me  the  interpretation 
thereof. 

But  at  the  last  Daniel  came  in  before  me,  whose 
name  was  Belteshazzar,  according  to  the  name  of 
my  god,  and  in  whom  is  the  spirit  of  the  holy  gods : 
and  before  him  I  told  the  dream,  saying,  O  Belte- 
shazzar, master  of  the  magicians,  because  I  know 
that  the  spirit  of  the  holy  gods  is  in  thee,  and  no 
secret  troubleth  thee,  tell  me  the  visions  of  my 
dream  that  I  have  seen,  and  the  interpretation 
thereof.  Thus  were  the  visions  of  mine  head  in 
my  bed ;  I  saw,  and  behold  a  tree  in  the  midst  of 
the  earth,  and  the  height  thereof  was  great.  The 
tree  grew,  and  was  strong,  and  the  height  thereof 
reached  unto  heaven,  and  the  sight  thereof  to  the 
end  of  all  the  earth :  the  leaves  thereof  were  fair, 
and  the  fruit  thereof  much,  and  in  it  was  meat  for 
all :  the  beasts  of  the  field  had  shadow  under  it,  and 
the  fowls  of  the  heaven  dwelt  in  the  boughs  thereof, 
and  all  flesh  was  fed  of  it.  I  saw  in  the  visions 
of  my  head  upon  my  bed,  and,  behold,  a  watcher 
and  an  holy  one  came  down  from  heaven ;  he  cried 
aloud,  and  said  thus,  Hew  down  the  tree,  and  cut 
off  his  branches,  shake  off  his  leaves,  and  scatter 
his  fruit :  let  the  beasts  get  away  from  under  it,  and 
the  fowls  from  his  branches ;  nevertheless  leave  the 
stump  of  his  roots  in  the  earth,  even  with  a  band 
of  iron  and  brass,  in  the  tender  grass  of  the  field; 


NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S  DREAMS  28i 

and  let  it  be  wet  with  the  dew  of  heaven,  and  let 
his  portion  be  with  the  beasts  in  the  grass  of  the 
earth :  let  his  heart  be  changed  from  man's,  and  let 
a  beast's  heart  be  given  unto  him ;  and  let  seven 
times  pass  over  him.  This  matter  is  by  the  decree 
of  the  watchers,  and  the  demand  by  the  word  of  the 
holy  ones :  to  the  intent  that  the  living  may  know 
that  the  most  High  ruleth  in  the  kingdom  of  men, 
and  giveth  it  to  whomsoever  he  will,  and  setteth 
up  over  it  the  basest  of  men.  This  dream  I  king 
Nebuchadnezzar  have  seen.  Now  thou,  O  Belte- 
shazzar,  declare  the  interpretation  thereof,  foras- 
much as  all  the  wise  men  of  my  kingdom  are  not 
able  to  make  known  unto  me  the  interpretation : 
but  thou  art  able;  for  the  spirit  of  the  holy  gods 
is  in  thee. 

Then  Daniel,  whose  name  was  Belteshazzar,  was 
astonied  for  one  hour,  and  his  thoughts  troubled 
him.  The  king  spake,  and  said,  Belteshazzar,  let 
not  the  dream,  or  the  interpretation  thereof,  trouble 
thee.  Belteshazzar  answered  and  said,  My  lord, 
the  dream  be  to  them  that  hate  thee,  and  the  inter- 
pretation thereof  to  thine  enemies.  The  tree  that 
thou  sawest,  which  grew,  and  was  strong,  whose 
height  reached  unto  the  heaven,  and  the  sight 
thereof  to  all  the  earth ;  whose  leaves  were  fair,  and 
the  fruit  thereof  much,  and  in  it  was  meat  for  all ; 
under  which  the  beasts  of  the  field  dwelt,  and  upon 
whose  branches  the  fowls  of  the  heaven  had  their 
habitation :  it  is  thou,  O  king,  that  art  grown  and 
become  strong:  for  thy  greatness  is  grown,  and 
reacheth  unto  heaven,  and  thy  dominion  to  the  end 
of  the  earth.  And  whereas  the  king  saw  a  watcher 


282  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

and  an  holy  one  coming  down  from  heaven,  and  say- 
ing, Hew  the  tree  down,  and  destroy  it;  yet  leave 
the  stump  of  the  roots  thereof  in  the  earth,  even  with 
a  band  of  iron  and  brass,  in  the  tender  grass  of  the 
field ;  and  let  it  be  wet  with  the  dew  of  heaven,  and 
let  his  portion  be  with  the  beasts  of  the  field,  till  seven 
times  pass  over  him ;  this  is  the  interpretation,  O 
king,  and  this  is  the  decree  of  the  most  High,  which 
is  come  upon  my  lord  the  king :  that  they  shall  drive 
thee  from  men,  and  thy  dwelling  shall  be  with  the 
beasts  of  the  field,  and  they  shall  make  thee  to  eat 
grass  as  oxen,  and  they  shall  wet  thee  with  the  dew 
of  heaven,  and  seven  times  shall  pass  over  thee, 
till  thou  know  that  the  most  High  ruleth  in  the 
kingdom  of  men.  and  giveth  it  to  whomsoever  he 
will.  And  whereas  they  commanded  to  leave  the 
stump  of  the  tree  roots;  thy  kingdom  shall  be  sure 
unto  thee,  after  that  thou  shalt  have  known  that  the 
heavens  do  rule.  Wherefore,  O  king,  let  my  coun- 
sel be  acceptable  unto  thee,  and  break  off  thy  sins 
by  righteousness,  and  thine  iniquities  by  shewing 
mercy  to  the  poor;  if  it  may  be  a  lengthening  of 
thy  tranquillity. 

All  this  came  upon  the  king  Nebuchadnezzar. 
At  the  end  of  twelve  months  he  walked  in  the  palace 
of  the  kingdom  of  Babylon.  The  king  spake,  and 
said,  Is  not  this  great  Babylon,  that  I  have  built 
for  the  house  of  the  kingdom  by  the  might  of  my 
power,  and  for  the  honour  of  my  majesty?  While 
the  word  was  in  the  king's  mouth,  there  fell  a  voice 
from  heaven,  saying,  O  king  Nebuchadnezzar,  to 
thee  it  is  spoken ;  The  kingdom  is  departed  from 
thee.  And  they  shall  drive  thee  from  men,  and  thy 


NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S  DREAMS  283 

dwelling  shall  be  with  the  beasts  of  the  field :  they 
shall  make  thee  to  eat  grass  as  oxen,  and  seven 
times  shall  pass  over  thee,  until  thou  know  that  the 
most  High  ruleth  in  the  kingdom  of  men,  and 
giveth  it  to  whomsoever  he  will.  The  same  hour 
was  the  thing  fulfilled  upon  Nebuchadnezzar:  and 
he  was  driven  from  men,  and  did  eat  grass  as  oxen, 
and  his  body  was  wet  with  the  dew  of  heaven,  till 
his  hairs  were  grown  like  eagles'  feathers,  and  his 
nails  like  birds'  claws. 

And  at  the  end  of  the  days  I  Nebuchadnezzar 
lifted  up  mine  eyes  unto  heaven,  and  mine  under- 
standing returned  unto  me,  and  I  blessed  the  most 
High,  and  I  praised  and  honoured  him  that  liveth 
for  ever,  whose  dominion  is  an  everlasting  dominion, 
and  his  kingdom  is  from  generation  to  generation : 
and  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  reputed  as 
nothing :  and  he  doeth  according  to  his  will  in  the 
army  of  heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth :  and  none  can  stay  his  hand,  or  say  unto  him, 
What  doest  thou  ?  At  the  same  time  my  reason 
returned  unto  me ;  and  for  the  glory  of  my  king- 
dom, mine  honour  and  brightness  returned  unto 
me;  and  my  counsellors  and  my  lords  sought  unto 
me ;  and  I  was  established  in  my  kingdom,  and  ex- 
cellent majesty  was  added  unto  me.  Now  I  Nebu- 
chadnezzar praise  and  extol  and  honour  the  King 
of  heaven,  all  whose  works  are  truth,  and  his  ways 
judgment:  and  those  that  walk  in  pride  he  is  able 
to  abase. 


284  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 


LVIII. 
turning  tfferg  ffurnace. 

Daniel  iii. 

NEBUCHADNEZZAR  the  king  made  an  image  of 
gold,  whose  height  was  threescore  cubits,  and  the 
breadth  thereof  six  cubits  :  he  set  it  up  in  the  plain 
of  Dura,  in  the  province  of  Babylon.  Then  Nebu- 
chadnezzar the  king  sent  to  gather  together  the 
princes,  the  governors,  and  the  captains,  the  judges, 
the  treasurers,  the  counsellors,  the  sheriffs,  and  all 
the  rulers  of  the  provinces,  to  come  to  the  dedica- 
tion of  the  image  which  Nebuchadnezzar  the  king 
had  set  up.  Then  the  princes,  the  governors,  and 
captains,  the  judges,  the  treasurers,  the  counsellors, 
the  sheriffs,  and  all  the  rulers  of  the  provinces, 
were  gathered  together  unto  the  dedication  of  the 
image  that  Nebuchadnezzar  the  king  had  set  up  ; 
and  they  stood  before  the  image  that  Nebuchad- 
nezzar had  set  up.  Then  a  herald  cried  aloud,  To 
you  it  is  commanded,  O  people,  nations,  and 
languages,  that  at  what  time  ye  hear  the  sound  of 
the  cornet,  flute,  harp,  sackbut,  psaltery,  dulcimer, 
and  all  kinds  of  musick,  ye  fall  down  and  worship 
the  golden  image  that  Nebuchadnezzar  the  king 
hath  set  up  :  and  whoso  falleth  not  down  and  wor- 
shippeth  shall  the  same  hour  be  cast  into  the  midst 
of  a  burning  fiery  furnace.  Therefore  at  that  time, 
when  all  the  people  heard  the  sound  of  the  cornet, 
flute,  harp,  sackbut,  psaltery,  and  all  kinds  of  musick, 
all  the  people,  the  nations,  and  the  languages,  fell 


THE  BURNING  FIERY  FURNACE  285 

down  and  worshipped  the  golden  image  that  Nebu- 
chadnezzar the  king  had  set  up. 

Wherefore  at  that  time  certain  Chaldeans  came 
near,  and  accused  the  Jews.  They  spake  and  said 
to  the  king  Nebuchadnezzar,  O  king,  live  for  ever. 
Thou,  O  king,  hast  made  a  decree,  that  every  man 
that  shall  hear  the  sound  of  the  cornet,  flute,  harp, 
sackbut,  psaltery,  and  dulcimer,  and  all  kinds  of 
musick,  shall  fall  down  and  worship  the  golden 
image :  and  whoso  falleth  not  down  and  wor- 
shippeth,  that  he  should  be  cast  into  the  midst  of  a 
burning  fiery  furnace.  There  are  certain  Jews 
whom  thou  hast  set  over  the  affairs  of  the  province 
of  Babylon,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed-nego ; 
these  men,  O  king,  have  not  regarded  thee :  they 
serve  not  thy  gods,  nor  worship  the  golden  image 
which  thou  hast  set  up. 

Then  Nebuchadnezzar  in  his  rage  and  fury  com- 
manded to  bring  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed- 
nego.  Then  they  brought  these  men  before  the 
king.  Nebuchadnezzar  spake  and  said  unto  them, 
Is  it  true,  O  Shadrach,  Meshach,,  and  Abed-nego, 
do  not  ye  serve  my  gods,  nor  worship  the  golden 
image  which  I  have  set  up?  Now  if  ye  be  ready 
that  at  what  time  ye  hear  the  sound  of  the  cornet, 
flute,  harp,  sackbut,  psaltery,  and  dulcimer,  and  all 
kinds  of  musick,  ye  fall  down  and  worship  the  image 
which  I  have  made ;  well :  but  if  ye  worship  not, 
ye  shall  be  cast  the  same  hour  into  the  midst  of  a 
burning  fiery  furnace ;  and  who  is  that  God  that 
shall  deliver  you  out  of  my  hands?  Shadrach, 
Meshach,  and  Abed-nego,  answered  and  said  to  the 
king,  O  Nebuchadnezzar,  we  are  not  careful  to 


286  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

answer  thee  in  this  matter.  If  it  be  so,  our  God 
whom  we  serve  is  able  to  deliver  us  from  the  burn- 
ing fiery  furnace,  and  he  will  deliver  us  out  of  thine 
hand,  O  king.  But  if  not,  be  it  known  unto  thee, 
O  king,  that  we  will  not  serve  thy  gods,  nor  worship 
the  golden  image  which  thou  hast  set  up. 

Then  was  Nebuchadnezzar  full  of  fury,  and  the 
form  of  his  visage  was  changed  against  Shadrach, 
Meshach,  and  Abed-nego :  therefore  he  spake,  and 
commanded  that  they  should  heat  the  furnace  one 
seven  times  more  than  it  was  wont  to  be  heated. 
And  he  commanded  the  most  mighty  men  that  were 
in  his  army  to  bind  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed- 
nego,  and  to  cast  them  into  the  burning  fiery  furnace. 
Then  these  men  were  bound  in  their  coats,  their 
hosen,  and  their  hats,  and  their  other  garments,  and 
were  cast  into  the  midst  of  the  burning  fiery  fur- 
nace. Therefore  because  the  king's  commandment 
was  urgent,  and  the  furnace  exceeding  hot,  the 
flame  of  the  fire  slew  those  men  that  took  up  Shad- 
rach, Meshach,  and  Abed-nego.  And  these  three 
men,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed-nego,  fell  down 
bound  into  the  midst  of  the  burning  fiery  furnace. 
Then  Nebuchadnezzar  the  king  was  astonied,  and 
rose  up  in  haste,  and  spake,  and  said  unto  his  coun- 
sellors, Did  not  we  cast  three  men  bound  into  the 
midst  of  the  fire?  They  answered  and  said  unto 
the  king,  True,  O  king.  He  answered  and  said, 
Lo,  I  see  four  men  loose,  walking  in  the  midst  of 
the  fire,  and  they  have  no  hurt ;  and  the  form  of  the 
fourth  is  like  the  Son  of  God.  Then  Nebuchad- 
nezzar came  near  to  the  mouth  of  the  burning  fiery 
furnace,  and  spake,  and  said,  Shadrach,  Meshach, 


BELSHAZZAR'S  FEAST  287 

and  Abed-nego,  ye  servants  of  the  most  high  God, 
come  forth,  and  come  hither.  Then  Shadrach, 
Meshach,  and  Abed-nego,  came  forth  of  the  midst 
of  the  fire.  And  the  princes,  governors,  and  cap- 
tains, and  the  king's  counsellors,  being  gathered 
together,  saw  these  men,  upon  whose  bodies  the 
fire  had  no  power,  nor  was  an  hair  of  their  head 
singed,  neither  were  their  coats  changed,  nor  the 
smell  of  fire  had  passed  on  them. 

Then  Nebuchadnezzar  spake,  and  said,  Blessed 
be  the  God  of  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed-nego, 
who  hath  sent  his  angel,  and  delivered  his  servants 
that  trusted  in  him,  and  have  changed  the  king's 
word,  and  yielded  their  bodies,  that  they  might  not 
serve  nor  worship  any  god,  except  their  own  God. 
Therefore  I  make  a  decree,  That  every  people, 
nation,  and  language,  which  speak  any  thing  amiss 
against  the  God  of  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed- 
nego,  shall  be  cut  in  pieces,  and  their  houses  shall 
be  made  a  dunghill :  because  there  is  no  other  God 
that  can  deliver  after  this  sort.  Then  the  king 
prcmoted  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed-nego,  in 
the  province  of  Babylon. 


LIX. 

tfeast* 


Daniel  v. 

BELSHAZZAR  the  king  made  a  great  feast  to  a 
thousand  of  his  lords,  and  drank  wine  before  the 
thousand.  Belshazzar,  whiles  he  tasted  the  wine, 


288  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

commanded  to  bring  the  golden  and  silver  vessels 
which  his  father  Nebuchadnezzar  had  taken  out  of 
the  temple  which  was  in  Jerusalem ;  that  the  king, 
and  his  princes,  his  wives,  and  his  concubines,  might 
drink  therein.  Then  they  brought  the  golden  ves- 
sels that  were  taken  out  of  the  temple  of  the  house 
of  God  which  was  at  Jerusalem ;  and  the  king,  and 
his  princes,  his  wives,  and  his  concubines,  drank 
in  them.  They  drank  wine,  and  praised  the  gods 
of  gold,  and  of  silver,  of  brass,  of  iron,  of  wood, 
and  of  stone. 

In  the  same  hour  came  forth  fingers  of  a  man's 
hand,  and  wrote  over  against  the  candlestick  upon 
the  plaister  of  the  wall  of  the  king's  palace :  and  the 
king  saw  the  part  of  the  hand  that  wrote.  Then  the 
king's  countenance  was  changed,  and  his  thoughts 
troubled  him,  so  that  the  joints  of  his  loins  were 
loosed,  and  his  knees  smote  one  against  another. 
The  king  cried  aloud  to  bring  in  the  astrologers, 
the  Chaldeans,  and  the  soothsayers.  And  the  king 
spake,  and  said  to  the  wise  men  of  Babylon,  Whoso- 
ever shall  read  this  writing,  and  shew  me  the  inter- 
pretation thereof,  shall  be  clothed  with  scarlet,  and 
have  a  chain  of  gold  about  his  neck,  and  shall  be 
the  third  ruler  in  the  kingdom.  Then  came  in  all 
the  king's  wise  men :  but  they  could  not  read  the 
writing,  nor  make  known  to  the  king  the  interpreta- 
tion thereof.  Then  was  king  Belshazzar  greatly 
troubled,  and  his  countenance  was  changed  in  him, 
and  his  lords  were  astonied. 

Now  the  queen,  by  reason  of  the  words  of  the 
king  and  his  lords,  came  into  the  banquet  house : 
and  the  queen  spake  and  said,  O  king,  live  for  ever : 


BELSHAZZAR'S  FEAST  289 

let  not  thy  thoughts  trouble  thee,  nor  let  thy  coun- 
tenance be  changed :  there  is  a  man  in  thy  kingdom, 
in  whom  is  the  spirit  of  the  holy  gods ;  and  in  the 
days  of  thy  father  light  and  understanding  and 
wisdom,  like  the  wisdom  of  the  gods,  was  found  in 
him ;  whom  the  king  Nebuchadnezzar  thy  father, 
the  king,  I  say,  thy  father,  made  master  of  the 
magicians,  astrologers,  Chaldeans,  and  soothsayers ; 
forasmuch  as  an  excellent  spirit,  and  knowledge, 
and  understanding,  interpreting  of  dreams,  and 
shewing  of  hard  sentences,  and  dissolving  of  doubts, 
were  found  in  the  same  Daniel,  whom  the  king 
named  Belteshazzar :  now  let  Daniel  be  called,  and 
he  will  shew  the  interpretation. 

Then  was  Daniel  brought  in  before  the  king. 
And  the  king  spake  and  said  unto  Daniel,  Art  thou 
that  Daniel,  which  art  of  the  children  of  the  cap- 
tivity of  Judah,  whom  the  king  my  father  brought 
out  of  Jewry?  I  have  even  heard  of  thee,  that  the 
spirit  of  the  gods  is  in  thee,  and  that  light  and 
understanding  and  excellent  wisdom  is  found  in 
thee.  And  now  the  wise  men,  the  astrologers,  have 
been  brought  in  before  me,  that  they  should  read 
this  writing,  and  make  known  unto  me  the  interpre- 
tation thereof:  but  they  could  not  shew  the  inter- 
pretation of  the  thing:  and  I  have  heard  of  thee, 
that  thou  canst  make  interpretations,  and  dissolve 
doubts :  now  if  thou  canst  read  the  writing,  and 
make  known  to  me  the  interpretation  thereof,  thou 
shalt  be  clothed  with  scarlet,  and  have  a  chain  of 
gold  about  thy  neck,  and  shalt  be  the  third  ruler  in 
the  kingdom. 

Then  Daniel  answered  and  said  before  the  king, 


290  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Let  thy  gifts  be  to  thyself,  and  give  thy  rewards  to 
another ;  yet  I  will  read  the  writing  unto  the  king, 
and  make  known  to  him  the  interpretation.  O  thou 
king,  the  most  high  God  gave  Nebuchadnezzar  thy 
father  a  kingdom,  and  majesty,  and  glory,  and 
honour :  and  for  the  majesty  that  he  gave  him,  all 
people,  nations,  and  languages,  trembled  and  feared 
before  him :  whom  he  would  he  slew ;  and  whom 
he  would  he  kept  alive ;  and  whom  he  would  he 
set  up ;  and  whom  he  would  he  put  down.  But 
when  his  heart  was  lifted  up,  and  his  mind  hardened 
in  pride,  he  was  deposed  from  his  kingly  throne, 
and  they  took  his  glory  from  him :  and  he  was 
driven  from  the  sons  of  men ;  and  his  heart  was 
made  like  the  beasts,  and  his  dwelling  was  with  the 
wild  asses :  they  fed  him  with  grass  like  oxen,  and 
his  body  was  wet  with  the  dew  of  heaven ;  till  he 
knew  that  the  most  high  God  ruled  in  the  kingdom 
of  men,  and  that  he  appointeth  over  it  whomsoever 
he  will.  And  thou  his  son,,  O  Belshazzar,  hast  not 
humbled  thine  heart,  though  thou  knewest  all  this ; 
but  hast  lifted  up  thyself  against  the  Lord  of 
heaven ;  and  they  have  brought  the  vessels  of  his 
house  before  thee,  and  thou,  and  thy  lords,  thy 
wives,  and  thy  concubines,  have  drunk  wine  in  them  ; 
and  thou  hast  praised  the  gods  of  silver,  and  gold, 
of  brass,  iron,  wood,  and  stone,  which  see  not,  nor 
hear,  nor  know :  and  the  God  in  whose  hand  thy 
breath  is,  and  whose  are  all  thy  ways,  hast  thou 
not  glorified :  then  was  the  part  of  the  hand  sent 
from  him ;  and  this  writing  was  written. 

And  this  is  the  writing  that  was  written,  MENE, 
MENE,  TEKEL,  UPHARSIN.    This  is  the  inter- 


THE  DEN  OF  LIONS 


291 


pretation  of  the  thing :  MENE ;  God  hath  num- 
bered thy  kingdom,  and  finished  it.  TEKEL; 
Thou  art  weighed  in  the  balances,  and  art  found 
wanting.  PERES ;  Thy  kingdom  is  divided,  and 
given  to  the  Medes  and  Persians. 

Then  commanded  Belshazzar,  and  they  clothed 
Daniel  with  scarlet,  and  put  a  chain  of  gold  about 
his  neck,  and  made  a  proclamation  concerning  him, 
that  he  should  be  the  third  ruler  in  the  kingdom. 
In  that  night  was  Belshazzar  the  king  of  the  Chal- 
deans slain.  And  Darius  the  Median  took  the 
kingdom,  being  about  threescore  and  two  years  old. 


LX. 

Den  of  Ufons. 

Daniel  vi. 

IT  pleased  Darius  to  set  over  the  kingdom  an  hun- 
dred and  twenty  princes,  which  should  be  over  the 
whole  kingdom ;  and  over  these  three  presidents ; 
of  whom  Daniel  was  first:  that  the  princes  might 
give  accounts  unto  them.,  and  the  king  should  have 
no  damage.  Then  this  Daniel  was  preferred  above 
the  presidents  and  princes,  because  an  excellent 
spirit  was  in  him ;  and  the  king  thought  to  set  him 
over  the  whole  realm. 

Then  the  presidents  and  princes  sought  to  find 
occasion  against  Daniel  concerning  the  kingdom ; 
but  they  could  find  none  occasion  nor  fault ;  foras- 
much as  he  was  faithful,  neither  was  there  any 
error  or  fault  found  in  him.  Then  said  these  men, 


292  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

We  shall  not  find  any  occasion  against  this  Daniel, 
except  we  find  it  against  him  concerning  the  law  of 
his  God.  Then  these  presidents  and  princes  assem- 
bled together  to  the  king,  and  said  thus  unto  him, 
King  Darius,  live  for  ever.  All  the  presidents  of 
the  kingdom,  the  governors,  and  the  princes,  the 
counsellors,  and  the  captains,  have  consulted  to- 
gether to  establish  a  royal  statute,  and  to  make  a 
firm  decree,  that  whosoever  shall  ask  a  petition  of 
any  God  or  man  for  thirty  days,  save  of  thee,  O 
king,  he  shall  be  cast  into  the  den  of  lions.  Now, 
O  king,  establish  the  decree,  and  sign  the  writing, 
that  it  be  not  changed,  according  to  the  law  of  the 
Medes  and  Persians,  which  altereth  not.  Where- 
fore king  Darius  signed  the  writing  and  the  decree. 
Now  when  Daniel  knew  that  the  writing  was 
signed,  he  went  into  his  house;  and  his  windows 
being  open  in  his  chamber  toward  Jerusalem,  he 
kneeled  upon  his  knees  three  times  a  day,  and 
prayed,  and  gave  thanks  before  his  God,  as  he  did 
aforetime.  Then  these  men  assembled,  and  found 
Daniel  praying  and  making  supplication  before 
his  God.  Then  they  came  near,  and  spake  before 
the  king  concerning  the  king's  decree ;  Hast  thou 
not  signed  a  decree,  that  every  man  that  shall  ask  a 
petition  of  any  God  or  man  within  thirty  days,  save 
of  thee,  O  king,  shall  be  cast  into  the  den  of  lions  ? 
The  king  answered  and  said,  The  thing  is  true, 
according  to  the  law  of  the  Medes  and  Persians, 
which  altereth  not.  Then  answered  they  and  said 
before  the  king,  That  Daniel,  which  is  of  the 
children  of  the  captivity  of  Judah,  regardeth  not 
thee,  O  king,  nor  the  decree  that  thou  hast  signed, 


THE  DEN  OF  LIONS  293 

but  maketh  his  petition  three  times  a  day.  Then 
the  king,  when  he  heard  these  words,  was  sore  dis- 
pleased with  himself,  and  set  his  heart  on  Daniel 
to  deliver  him :  and  he  laboured  till  the  going  down 
of  the  sun  to  deliver  him.  Then  these  men  assem- 
bled unto  the  king,  and  said  unto  the  king,  Know, 
O  king,  that  the  law  of  the  Medes  and  Persians  is, 
That  no  decree  nor  statute  which  the  king  estab- 
lisheth  may  be  changed.  Then  the  king  com- 
manded, and  they  brought  Daniel,  and  cast  him  into 
the  den  of  lions.  Now  the  king  spake  and  said 
unto  Daniel,  Thy  God  whom  thou  servest  continu- 
ually,  he  will  deliver  thee.  And  a  stone  was 
brought,  and  laid  upon  the  mouth  of  the  den ;  and 
the  king  sealed  it  with  his  own  signet,  and  with  the 
signet  of  his  lords ;  that  the  purpose  might  not  be 
changed  concerning  Daniel. 

Then  the  king  went  to  his  palace,  and  passed  the 
night  fasting;  neither  were  instruments  of  musick 
brought  before  him:  and  his  sleep  went  from  him. 
Then  the  king  arose  very  early  in  the  morning,  and 
went  in  haste  unto  the  den  of  lions.  And  when  he 
came  to  the  den,  he  cried  with  a  lamentable  voice 
unto  Daniel :  and  the  king  spake  and  said  to  Daniel, 
O  Daniel,  servant  of  the  living  God,  is  thy  God, 
whom  thou  servest  continually,  able  to  deliver  thee 
from  the  lions?  Then  said  Daniel  unto  the  king, 
O  king,  live  for  ever.  My  God  hath  sent  his  angel, 
and  hath  shut  the  lions'  mouths,,  that  they  have  not 
hurt  me:  forasmuch  as  before  him  innocency  was 
found  in  me ;  and  also  before  thee,  O  king,  have  I 
done  no  hurt.  Then  was  the  king  exceeding  glad 
for  him,  and  commanded  that  they  should  take 


294  OLD  TESTAMENT  NARRATIVES 

Daniel  tip  out  of  the  den.  So  Daniel  was  taken  up 
out  of  the  den,  and  no  manner  of  hurt  was  found 
upon  him,  because  he  believed  in  his  God.  And  the 
king  commanded,  and  they  brought  those  men 
which  had  accused  Daniel,  and  they  cast  them  into 
the  den  of  lions,  them,  their  children,  and  their 
wives;  and  the  lions  had  the  mastery  of  them,  and 
brake  all  their  bones  in  pieces  or  ever  they  came 
at  the  bottom  of  the  den. 

Then  king  Darius  wrote  unto  all  people,  nations, 
and  languages,  that  dwell  in  all  the  earth ;  Peace 
be  multiplied  unto  you.  I  make  a  decree,  That  in 
every  dominion  of  my  kingdom  men  tremble  and 
fear  before  the  God  of  Daniel :  for  he  is  the  living 
God,  and  stedfast  for  ever,  and  his  kingdom  that 
which  shall  not  be  destroyed,  and  his  dominion  shall 
be  even  unto  the  end.  He  delivereth  and  rescueth, 
and  he  worketh  signs  and  wonders  in  heaven  and  in 
earth,  who  hath  delivered  Daniel  from  the  power  of 
the  lions.  So  this  Daniel  prospered  in  the  reign  of 
Darius,  and  in  the  reign  of  Cyrus  the  Persian. 


THE  END 


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